Solving a Problem Importing Integers Using Format Files
When using format files to import data into SQL Server, the Integer(INT) data type needs special handling.
PASS Data Architecture VC presents On Beyond Zebra AdventureWorks OR where did I go wrong?
On Thursday February 16th at 12PM noon Central, Steve Simon will discuss “No Matter how well planned and executed, data structures sometime resembles something out of a Dr. Seuss book."
Use Your Tools
It's easy to get stuck in a rut and not learn to use the new features and capabilities of your tools are they evolve. Steve Jones reminds you it's worth a little time investment to learn about your tools.
What's the Point of Using VARCHAR(n) Anymore?
The arrival of the (MAX) data types in SQL Server 2005 were one of the most popular feature for the database developer. At the time, there was a lot of discussion as to whether this freedom from having to specify string length came at a cost. Rob attempts to give a final answer as to any down-side.
A Guide to Installing SQL Server 2008 R2 Reporting Services
This document shows how to install a Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Reporting Services instance.
A Valentine for the Community
This Valentine's Day Steve Jones wants to thank everyone in the community for their efforts.
Buck Woody's Cloud Howlers
We asked Buck Woody to come up with his favourite 'Cloud' Howlers. After 'Howler' monkeys, we are faced with Howler letters. Buck dreams of sending Howler letters to the folks who dreamed up the marketing hype around 'cloud' services, who misunderstand services, who don't prepares applications for distributed environments and so on.
Still Time to Register for SQL Bits X
If you will be in London on Mar 29th, come to the official UK launch of SQL Server 2012 at SQL Bits X. Saturday is sold out, so if you registered and cannot come, please cancel. There are still a few spots for Thur and Fri.
An Overview of Memory Architecture - Oracle for the SQL Server Guy
A look at the memory architecture of SQL Server and Oracle, for those of you that may need to provide support for Oracle databases.
Blogs
A New Word: los vidados
By Steve Jones
los vidados – n. the half-remembered acquaintances you knew years ago, who you might...
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
EightKB 2026
EightKB is back again for 2026! The biggest online SQL Server internals conference is...
Forums
query to track time spent on individual tasks in SSIS
Hi everyone I am looking at building a query to determine how much time...
SQL Server Transactional Replication from Always On Availability Groups to Azure SQL Database
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server Transactional Replication from...
Hidden Heroes
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Hidden Heroes
Question of the Day
Identities and Sequences I
When thinking of the Identity property for auto incrementing columns and sequences for the same action, which are explicitly linked to increment a number in a table when a new row is added?
See possible answers