and statistics cannot be mintained on them, so the optimiser has little to no idea how many rows are in the table variable when it generates a query plan.

If you are going to be doing this kind of query, create a linked server and map the windows authenticated logins on one to a sql authenticated login on the...

Cursors, especially nested cursors are not going to work very well, ever. I suggest a set-based solution.

This isn't a complete solution, but should give you a good idea where to...

IF EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM mytable)

 RAISERROR (...)

No need for variables or anything.

I usually use this when I'm optimising queries.

set

statistics io on

set statistics time on

From books online

I tend to use this one. Not sure if it's the best, but it is way better than the usual cast as varchar version. Haven't seen any strange issues

SELECT CAST(FLOOR(CAST(GETDATE()...

What does this return?

DECLARE @val VARCHAR(50)

SELECT name from dbo.sysobjects where OBJECTPROPERTY(id, N'IsConstraint') = 1 AND name like 'PK__TestTable%'

select @val = name from dbo.sysobjects where OBJECTPROPERTY(id, N'IsConstraint') = 1 AND name...

If you print the string instead of executing it, what does it contain?

You'll need to use dynamic SQL in this case, as an alter table can't take a variable.

DECLARE @val VARCHAR(50)

select @val = name from dbo.sysobjects where OBJECTPROPERTY(id, N'IsConstraint') = 1 AND...

Easiest, yes, fastest, no.

Using a function on a column in the where clause of a query will prevent the optimiser from using any index that may exist on that...

What type is the TAB lock? S, X, IX, Sch-S?

An IX lock on table level is fairly normal when doing modifications. It's not a full exclusive lock, it's there in...

I'd love to work in the 3D graphics industry. I do modelling and rendering as a hobby, but I'm no where near as good as the professionals

That, or be an...

Table A to be able to create 1 row for each distinct gr# with first occurence of toname and fromname

What do you mean by first? First alphabetically? Is there another...

Apparently they don't.

Sorry, I wrote those a while back and they did work then. Haven't used them in ages. Will check.