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.
When To Hire a DBA
When should you hire a DBA? Always, of course! Actually Steve Jones doesn't have an answer, but he does talk about why a DBA can help you.
Check your Digits
The most persistent struggle in data processing has been to ensure clean data. There are many ways that data can be incorrect and a database must check, as best it can, that the data is correct. The CHECK constraint is ideally suited for this sort of work, and the checking routine can become quite complex when dealing with check digits in data.
Showing Its Age
Computer Systems are aging and as companies try to save money by extending their lifetimes, are we going to see more issues?
When a SQL file will not open in SSMS
What happens when double clicking a .SQL file doesn't open the file in SSMS? This article provides the solution to fixing that annoying SSMS issue.
Blogs
RANK() vs DENSE_RANK(): #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
I haven’t done one of these in awhile, but I saw an article recently...
Using CAT for Testing of Data Agents
In last months one of the scenarios where you can use AI has been...
Forums
Missing the Jaro Winkler Distance
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Missing the Jaro Winkler Distance
25 Years Later: What SQLServerCentral Meant to Me
Comments posted to this topic are about the item 25 Years Later: What SQLServerCentral...
Doing Good at SQL Server Central
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Doing Good at SQL Server...
Question of the Day
Missing the Jaro Winkler Distance
I upgraded a SQL Server 2019 instance to SQL Server 2025. I wanted to test the fuzzy string search functions. I run this code:
SELECT JARO_WINKLER_DISTANCE('tim', 'tom')
I get this error message:Msg 195, Level 15, State 10, Line 1 'JARO_WINKLER_DISTANCE' is not a recognized built-in function name.What is wrong? See possible answers