Using REPLACE in an UPDATE statement
This article covers using the REPLACE function to selectively replace text inside a string in SQL Server. The REPLACE function is easy to use and very handy with an UPDATE statment.
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs
In Part 1, we learned how to make both Cross-Tabs and Pivots. In Part 2, we'll learn how to automate a very common type of Cross-Tab report and maybe learn some extra tricks on the way.
Would You Like a Stay Interview?
For this Friday poll, Steve Jones talks about an interesting concept. The "stay interview."
A Perspective on Database Performance Tuning
Fundamentally, database performance tuning is done for two basic reasons, to reduce response time and to reduce resource usage, both of which can apply for any given situation. Julian Stuhler looks at database performance tuning, and why it remains one of the most important topics for any DBA, developer or systems administrator.
Capturing Real-Time Currency Conversions in SSIS
Integration excels at moving and transforming data in real time. Jeff Singleton brings us a great use of SSIS in making currency conversions using a web service.
Man in the MIddle
Are you worried about man in the middle attacks on your database server? If you run Oracle you should be, but SQL Server DBAs should not assume they are safe. Adding communication encryption can be a good idea for SQL Server DBAs.
Configure Windows Firewall for SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services in Windows Server 2008 R2
As I am new to Windows Server 2008 R2 it would be great if you can let me know the step by step approach to enable the default port of SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services in Windows Firewall for user connectivity.
How to Read Excel Cells from SQL Server Integration Services
We can get data in all sorts of formats in the real world. In this new article from Dinesh Asanka, learn how to use scripting to import data from individual Excel cells.
Regular Service
Steve Jones feels that we ought to get regular service packs from Microsoft to support SQL Server. Not everyone agrees. Do you?
Consolidating SQL Server Error Logs from Multiple Instances Using SSIS
SQL Server hides a lot of very useful information in its error log files. Unfortunately, the process of hunting through all these logs, file-by-file, server-by-server, can cause a problem. Rodney Landrum offers a solution which will allow you to pull error log records from multiple servers into a central database, for analysis and reporting with T-SQL.
Blogs
Learn Better: Pause to Review More
By Brian Kelley
If you want to learn better, pause more in your learning to intentionally review.
Azure SQL Managed Instance Next-Gen: Bring on the IOPS
By John
If you’ve used Azure SQL Managed Instance General Purpose, you know the drill: to...
SQL, MDX, DAX – the languages of data
By DataOnWheels
Ramblings of a retired data architect Let me start by saying that I have...
Forums
Two foreign keys to the same table. Can't cascade deletes.
Not sure if this is really a relational theory question but it seems about...
Connecting Power BI to SSAS and effective user not working
Hi everyone, Below is a consolidated summary of what we validated Architecture & data...
High Availability setup - has anyone seen this method?
Hi all, I recently moved to a new employer who have their HA setup...
Question of the Day
Encoding URLs
I have this data in a SQL Server 2025 table:
CREATE TABLE Response ( ResponseID INT NOT NULL CONSTRAINT ResponsePK PRIMARY KEY , ResponseVal VARBINARY(5000) ) GOIf I want to get a value from this table that I can add to a URL in a browser, which of these code items produces a result I can use? See possible answers