SQL 2008 SP/CU Patching Through Windows Scheduled Tasks
Automate patch installations using the task scheduler and command line hotfix options for SQL.
SQL Server Foreign Key Update and Delete Rules
Foreign key constraints are an integral part of SQL Server database design. These are used to maintain integrity among related data in different tables. While implementing update and delete operations on values in the parent table (referenced table with primary key) we have to consider the impact on related values in the child table. SQL Server provides different rules for managing the effect of updates and deletes on child table values. How can these rules be used effectively without threatening the relational integrity?
100% Microsoft?
This week Brad McGehee asks if your company is a 100% Microsoft software shop or if you are allowed to use third party software with your SQL Server.
The Intelligence Cloud
More cloud talk today as the Air Force is building a new intelligence sharing system in the cloud? Why the cloud? Is the cloud really better?
TSQL Challenge 55 - Multiply two very long decimal strings and return
This challenge to multiply two positive integer strings and return their product. The strings can be really long: up to 1024 digits
Performing DBCC Checks Using SQL Virtual Restore
Ever restored a corrupted database from the backup, only to find that the backups are corrupted too - All the backups? Sure it can happen and it isn't nice when it does. To check that a database backup is internally consistent you have to use DBCC CheckDB. On a huge highly-loaded live system? Grant Fritchey has, as usual, a practical solution.
Temporary Indexes
Temporary indexes can speed up processes that run periodically in your applications. This Friday Steve Jones asks how many of you use temporary indexes and how you do so.
SQL Diag Configuration Tool
SQL Diag is a very useful diagnostic tool that will help capture performance information from SQL Server. This tool is shipped with the SQL Server product. Howerver there is not an easy way to configure the tool - it requires the hand editing of an XML file, which is tedious and error prone. That is until now!
SQL Diag Configuration Tool (SDCT) is an intuitive, easy to use tool that will read existing sqldiag.xml configuration files, allow you to select your desired options and save those options to a new file.
SSIS Event Handlers Basics
SSIS event handlers are the simplest means of turning an SSIS script into a reliable system that is auditable, reacts appropriately to error conditions, reports progress and allows instrumentation and monitoring your SSIS packages. They are easy to implement, and provide a great deal of flexibility. Rob Sheldon once again provides the easy, clear introduction.
SQL Server 2008 Installation Issues - Issues and Workarounds
MVP Robert Pearl explains how to get around some common issues that might occur when installing SQL Server 2008 on Windows 7.
Blogs
Flyway Tips: AI Generating Migration Script Names
By Steve Jones
AI is a big deal in 2026, and at Redgate, we’re experimenting with how...
The Book of Redgate: Get the right stuff done
By Steve Jones
Another of our values: The facing page has this quote: “We admire people who...
Runing tSQLt Tests with Claude
By Ed Elliott
Running tSQLt unit tests is great from Visual Studio but my development workflow...
Forums
No Defaults Passwords Ever
Comments posted to this topic are about the item No Defaults Passwords Ever
Introduction of OPTIMIZE_FOR_SEQUENTIAL_KEY = ON
Hi, We have low latency high volume system. I have a table having 3...
The Long Name
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Long Name
Question of the Day
The Long Name
I run this code to create a table:
When I check the length, I get these results:
A table name is limited to 128 characters. How does this work?