SQLServerCentral Editorial

Milk

Genome research into producing the best cows for milk has Steve Jones thinking about the implications for other industries. There could be new opportunities for data professionals.

Technical Article

Utilize SQL Server Storage Effectively

With the increased use of databases and the need to have more and more data online, database storage is an area DBAs need to manage effectively. If you plan your database and data management correctly you can build and manage a cost effective, high performing SQL Server solution. If not, you risk potential storage issues as well as performance degradation. This session will cover best practices and options focused on helping you manage your SQL Server storage. We will dive into the tools you can use to manage database storage, some of the latest trends, database design implications, data archiving and alternatives such as compression, BLOB data storage, filtered indexes and more. We’ll also introduce a tool that allows you to reduce the storage footprint of your live SQL Server databases.

Join us for this free event and learn how to utilize your SQL Server storage effectively.

External Article

Using DELETE CASCADE Option for Foreign Keys

Referential integrity is a very important thing to consider when designing a database. In my years as a DBA I've seen database designs that sit on both ends of the spectrum, none at all and cases where every table is linked to multiple tables. While the later certainly can be a little more difficult to work with it ensures the integrity of your data stays intact. The other end provides much more flexibility when it comes to updating and deleting data from your database, whether it's being done through the application or directly on the backend, but has the issue of possible orphan records if things are not done properly. This tip will look at the DELETE CASCADE option when creating foreign key constraints and how it helps keep the referential integrity of your database intact.

SQLServerCentral Editorial

A Data Hub

The idea of a data hub in your company is interesting to Steve Jones. He talks about this concept, and how it might help you increase data quality, and perhaps get closed to a single view of the truth.

Blogs

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Forums

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Question of the Day

ORDER BY alias

There is a table tmp_tab: 

CREATE TABLE tmp_tab (
id int,
val int
);
INSERT INTO tmp_tab VALUES
(1, 1),
(2, NULL),
(3, 3),
(4, 4),
(5, 5);
You want to order the rows ids by the following expression: 
    ISNULL(val, id) + 1
Which of the following queries produces the expected ordering and why? (Select all correct)

See possible answers