The row number would be, but can in no way be tracked back to a certain record in the database.  i.e. it is in no way a primary key for...

Hey we all like new and fast hardware!  Of course godo efficient code combined with fast hardware is even better!

Sometimes though, good enough...

Maybe you should look into sql_variant data type?

If not I think you would have to encapsulate your entire query in the same string to execute as where you declare your...

I'm not at work, but will try to answer a few questions.  I have one primary XML and one secondary XML index on the column.  I did however remove them...

Did I mention I do not like XML?

So on a whim I decided to try something a bit different.  Instead of doing an insert directly from the main XML blob,...

The main problem with diesels in the US is that the sulphur (I think) content is too high for the new diesels so popular in Europe (i.e. common rail diesels). ...

In general I would say follow the directions, but make sure that it is documented.

Once upon a time I was a DBA and an underwriter of aircraft insurance (my first job...

Yikes!

First of all I would look at locking (begin tran) in general, and see if there is a way to reduce the number of transactions.  I would assume with that...

By only passing the correct number of arguments?

Not excatly sure what you are saying, but if you have a function declared like :

create function dbo.fcn_test @input int

then you can only...

I thought with Windows 2003 running out of driver letters was no longer an issue since you can use mount points for drives instead of drive letters.  I'm no specialist...

You need to have an account that has the appropriate security on the server itself as well.  The answer to appropriate is "it depends" but this is fairly well documented...

The Pilot in Command sits on the left for a good reason.  Right hand being better to hit the second in command when he/she messes up!

You can't backup to the network from within SQL if you are running SQL Agent under local account, has to be a domain accont.

Sorry been busy.  Here is a sample of the code, the two XML data types being passed in the range of 150-350K, depending on the policy involved.  The code presented...

I try to stay right at 40 hours, some weeks more, rarely a LOT more.  I am however on call 24/7 as the only DBA where I currently work (and...