p.s.  Just to save face... if this is NOT a simple denormalized reporting table, you need to change my statement from...

"and everyone who has code that adds columns uses the...

Both methods are good... so long as you are in the correct data base and the table actually exists in that data base...

if it doesn't, the code will not...

Concur... my point exactly...

Yep... I know that xp_CmdShell is "serial" and not asynchronus in nature... that's why I normally check the data before I put it in a trigger.  But, I have seen...

Think "language barrier" and email mono-tones folks... Sometimes folks get pretty short and it isn't meant to be rude... it just sounds that way.  Add English as a second language...

I just did a quick read on this... it is possible to write to a table from within a trigger and not have it roll back but only if you...

Considering that the original poster had troubles with the dynamic SQL to create the column, you might want to demo how to test for the column's existance with some generic...

Both sides of the coin?  I normally end up looking at the edge of the coin, too

Just a note... if you take to long writing a post, this site looses it's mind  and destroys your post... ALWAYS remember to COPY...

Not sure you'd have to worry about the locks to create a simple sum... and, everytime someone made a new entry in the food table, you'd have to do an...

True... but sometimes there is no application.  Besides, formatting a date is a simple form of data manipulation... why not do "data manipulation" in a database? 

It looks like a denormalized reporting or summary table that they will add a column to for every quarter...

>>BTW. Why do you need SQL Server? What's wrong with file system?

>>There is no way. It must be proper database solution.

You just confused the heck out of me

What's the best way to use the file system to do such a quick search?

Sure... although I have to eat a bit of crow on this one

A frequent poster by the name of Serqiy and I...