A Faster BETWEEN Dates

This article shows us a different way of finding all records between 2 dates.

Can I really drop that index?

You believe that an index is unused and so could be removed, and yet, your finger hovers nervously over the metaphorical "delete" button. You can't quite bring yourself to do it. Is it really safe to drop this index? Tony wonders if "invisible indexes" might solve this dilemma.

Happy Halloween 2010

Steve Jones has a day off before SQL Server Connections and brings us a blooper reel for Halloween.

TSQL Challenge 42 – Transform rows to columns with dynamic positioning

This challenge involves writing a logic to change the column position of values in the output based on the presence and absence of other values on each output row.

Get Out The Vote

It’s actually kind of cool that SQL Rally voting for the pre-conference seminars and voting in the real(ish) world in the USA are coinciding. I’m in the running for the pre-con AND I’m volunteering for an actual election campaign for the first time ever.

Using SSIS Logging to Resolve Runtime Errors and Performance Issues

Runtime errors and performance issues can be difficult to identify and resolve. One of the primary methods that assist with their resolution involves generating logs, which contain records of events taking place during code execution. This article provides a comprehensive overview of logging options available in SQL Server 2008 R2 Integration Services.

What do you think about the existing ORM tools?

Red Gate is reviewing products in the object-relational mapping tools area--think Entity Framework, Hibernate, LLBLGen--and are keen to speak to people who have ANY experience (good or bad!). Please spare a few minutes online and help us shape our new products.

What’s in Your Future?

Why You Should Vote for My SQLRally Pre-Con

Self-marketing is not my strong suit. I don't feel very comfortable doing it, but Andy Warren (twitter | blog) suggests that we...

100 Years Ago, What Would You Be?

Today we have a guest editorial from Andy Warren asking what you might have done if you lived in the past.