I love the argument a backup is needed?

I think your instructors are perhaps lacking some understanding of how SQL Server should be run.

I've done something similar to Jason in the past. having standard drive letters makes a huge difference since everyone knows backups are on "z"

Be sure that your arrays are physically...

If you detach it every time, you'll need to attach it again. It won't be in your list of databases.

What are you trying to do here? Meaning what's your process...

I agree with the advice above, but you might try simplying with a view or CTE for part of the query (either with or without the stock level). Sometimes breaking...

Getting references and using your network is important, but honestly, I'm mostly with Jeff. A good technical interview and my instincts are what I mostly use.

The rule is ALWAYS "It depends"

There are print servers that overload hardware and there are SQL instances that could run alongside almost any other software.

Virtualization is about using more of...

I think Americans in general are a little arrogant, and overall, culturally ignorant. We tend to see the US as the center of the world. There's some basis with our...

I have friends running production boxes as virtual servers, but they watch the loads for SQL Server. The SQL Servers don't float and share physical resources with lower use stuff.

Other...

What is your code?

xp_cmdshell is in master, so you might need to call it as

exec master.dbo.xp_cmdshell

I haven't run them under load, but I tend to view these as Gsquared has mentioned.

I assume you mean login created. By default, only those database that have a guest user will allow the new login to access them. If you create a user (mapping...

Is it the database or the log that's growing?

You need to schedule backups for both of those regularly.

Don't give the users rights to do these tasks. By default, users have no rights to tables. If you do not use db_owner or sysadmin rights as a general rule,...

Please don't cross post. Post your question in only one forum.

You can profile at the statement level, which I think will catch statements inside stored procedures.