Retrieving Identities on set-based inserts
Learn a foolproof way to get identity values for multi-row inserts with the OUTPUT clause in SQL Server 2005 without using a cursor.
Full Text Index Queries using CONTAINS and CONTAINSTABLE
Recent installments of our SQL Server 2005 Express Edition series have been discussing its implementation of Full Text Indexing. This article focuses on the remaining two constructs, CONTAINS and CONTAINSTABLE.
Perfect is the Enemy of Good
Today we have a guest editorial from Andy Warren. We all would love to have perfect code, but is always worth the time? Andy Warren notes that cutting a corner or two might make sense at times.
Recovering data from corrupt tables using non-clustered indexes
At times database corruption happens and no good recovery path is available. It is possible to salvage data from indexes using query hints.
Finding Invalid SQL Logins
As many of you know the system stored procedure sp_validatelogins is used for finding invalid logins. Although sp_validatelogins is useful there's...
SQLSaturday #32 - Tampa, FL
If you are in the area, come to this great one day training event in Tampa, FL.
Caution with EXCEPT
The EXCEPT operator, introduced in SQL Server 2005, can be handy in some situations where you are comparing data between two tables. New author Stephen Tirone brings us a potential issue to be aware of with this operator.
Moving PASS
The PASS Summit has been held in Seattle for a number of years, but recently people have asked to move it somewhere else. Steve Jones talks a little about the issue.
The End of Support
It can be nerve-wracking for a DBA when support for their server ends. This week support for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 ended and Steve Jones talks about your options.
Implement a stack in SQL Server using stored procedures
In this article I will show you how to implement a stack. In programming, stacks are a great way to...
Blogs
Microsoft Fabric OneLake Shortcuts: When to Use Them and When Not To
By James Serra
An architecture scenario Imagine separate Sales, Finance, Shared Data, and Executive Analytics workspaces. Sales...
SQL Server Security Hardening Guide Using the DoD STIG Checklist
Security on your SQL Server is important. That doesn’t need any explaining. But where...
EightKB 2026: Registration is Open!
It’s that time of year again! EightKB is back on August 20th at 13:00...
Forums
Backing Up a DMK
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The Quiet Part
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BIT_COUNT in SQL Server
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Question of the Day
Backing Up a DMK
In SQL Server 2025, I have a database with a Database Masker Key (DMK). I want to back up this key and keep a copy offline. When do I have to open this key before running the backup?
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