Statistics, row estimations and the ascending date column
SQL’s auto-updating statistics go a fair way to making SQL Server a self-tuning database engine and in many cases they...
The default trace in SQL Server - the power of performance and security auditing
Since the introduction of SQL Server 2005, there is a simple lightweight trace that is left running by default on every SQL Server. This provides some very valuable information for the DBA about the running server, but it isn't well-documented. Feodor Georgiev reveals many of the secrets of this facility and shows how to get reports from it.
What Differentiates Enterprise?
This Friday Steve Jones asks you about the Enterprise Edition of SQL Server, and what should the distinction be?
SQL Server 2008 Service Broker - Conversation Priorities
SQL Server 2008 Service Broker lets you process higher priority messages and conversations earlier than those with lower priority.
SQL Server Startup
From time to time I see a question asking how to determine the last time a SQL Server was either...
Do You Need A Safe Word?
A hacker breaches security by gaining control of an executive's email account. Does that mean that we should consider adding another level of authentication to privileged requests?
SQL Server random numerics data generation using CLR
You need to generate random data directly into SQL Server table columns or close to the database engine as variables or expressions. Looking at the SQL Server available functions, you notice that only RAND function offers support for random data generation. Although RAND([seed]) is a built-in function, it can only return a float value between 0 and 1, and has other limitations in regards to seed values. Because your table columns may be of various data types, and each data type may have a lower value and an upper value, you would prefer to create your custom random data generators. This is when SQL Server CLR functions come into play and provide a viable solution.
Naturally Increasing Data Value with Hierarchical Structures
Hierarchical structures have an inherent ability for significant data value increases beyond the data collected. This will be shown to exist in hierarchical structures and even more powerfully in their natural hierarchical processing capabilities. These will demonstrate flexible and efficient ways to increase data value automatically and will be discussed in this article. SQL will be used to perform a wide range of hierarchical processing operations that easily demonstrate these increasing data value capabilities.
SQL Bits VIII
SQL Bits 8 will be in Brighton in the UK on April 7th-9th. There are paid full days of training as well as a free day on Saturday. Register now for the premier SQL Server event in the UK.
SQL Server Crossword #3
To mark my 30th Birthday today, as promised here’s a SQL Server Crossword for you to enjoy. You can find the previous...
Blogs
Ramblings about data communities and your contributions, no excuses
By DataOnWheels
I have been active in the data community throughout my career. I have met...
SQL Server Journey till 2025 (brief)
By Vinay Thakur
Quick Summary for Microsoft SQL Server till 2025, I am fortunate to be part...
Building Power BI Reports: Desktop vs Fabric
By James Serra
Why this comparison feels confusing If you’re a Power BI report author who’s just...
Forums
Having a Little Fun at SQL Server Central
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Having a Little Fun at...
Designing SQL Server Pipelines That Are Ready for AI Before You Actually Need AI
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Designing SQL Server Pipelines That...
String Similarity I
Comments posted to this topic are about the item String Similarity I
Question of the Day
String Similarity I
On SQL Server 2025, when I run this, what is returned?
SELECT EDIT_DISTANCE_SIMILARITY('SQL Server', 'MySQL') See possible answers