Clean unused space when a variable-length column is dropped from a SQL Server table or indexed view

Whenever rows or columns are deleted from a table, SQL Server reuses space to accommodate new data. However, this is not the case when a variable length column is deleted. The space used by this type of column is not reclaimed automatically. Variable length columns can be of data types varchar, nvarchar, varchar(max), nvarchar(max), varbinary, varbinary(max), text, ntext, image, sql_variant, and xml. In this tip, I have tried to put forth a solution to reclaim this space and this should work for SQL 2005 and later versions.

The Page Checksum

Logged Operations

SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 Integration Services - Managing Remote Processes Using Script Task

Marcin Policht discusses ways to launch processes for remote systems using SQL Server 2008 R2 Integration Services.

Using PowerShell to Manage SQLServer

This article provides a practical example of how Powershell can be used by DBAs.

TOP 10 SQL Server Requests That Should Be Automated

What DBA wouldn't want to make their job a little easier?

Changing collations

Lipoaspiration in your SQL Server Database

Once, when disk space was at a premium, DBAs fought hard to keep the size of their database down. Now there seems less motivation to 'fight the flab' of a database. Fabiano Amorim was watching television recently when the subject matter, cosmetic surgery, gave him the theme and inspiration for this guide to keeping your database fit and trim.

Resource Governer

SQL Server Error Log Scanning

This article will show you how to scan SQL Server Error Logs with ease and track important information that is stored there.