Exporting data to CSV file using SQLCMD/BCP

When it comes to exporting data there are different options available in SQL Server, such as SQL Server Integration Services,...

Inserting UniCode / Special characters in tables

Consider the situation where one needs to store multilingual data / Special characters into a table. For example Chinese characters or...

Off to Vegas for DevConnections

A few last minute prep items for DevConnections and I leave in a few hours for Las Vegas. My first...

SQL server 2005 Database Mail stopped functioning after installing Service Pack 3

Recently I have upgraded one of our SQL server 2005 instance to Service Pack 3 and later point of time...

SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse (PDW) Appliance Update 3 (AU3)

In the next few weeks there will be an update to the SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse (PDW) called “Appliance Update 3?...

SQL SERVER Replication – Troubleshooting Steps for Beginners

Few days back there was a replication issue in one of the QA servers. Since the DBA was out of...

Backup script skipping databases – and the fix!

A real head-scratcher
I’ve been using my RYO Maintenance scripts for a little while now, and they’ve been working great. Almost....

Stress Thoughts–Part 1

If I had to tell you that one thing I’ve gotten better at in the past 5 years it would...

Execution Plan for a User Defined Function

When you execute a multi-statement user-defined function you may see an execution plan that looks something like this:

It appears as...

SQLSAT107

I was recently selected to speak at SQL Saturday 107 in Houston TX.  I am really excited to be selected...