The Database Weekly Update for June 16, 2008
Steve Jones looks back at the news of the past, including a look at RC0, the latest release of SQL Server 2008.
Eliminating Cursors
T-SQL does some things wonderfully, but cursors are the bane of the language, often causing performance issues. Changing your queries around to remove cursors can be tricky and new author Kamran Ali brings us one technique he has used to dramatically improve performance.
Include Column Headers From SSMS
Save time when copying data from SSMS to Excel by configuring the options to Include Column Headers.
Compound Assignment Operators in SQL Server 2008
MAK illustrates the use of Compound Assignment Operator that is introduced in SQL Server 2008.
Introduction to the Unified Dimensional Model (UDM)
This paper provides an introduction to the Unified Dimensional Model (UDM), including the basic end-user model, and a brief overview of the architecture and security models.
What do you do with a new SQL Server?
This article highlights some basic steps to take when you have a new install of SQL Server or take over support of existing databases.
Close these Loopholes - Reproduce Database Errors
This is the final part of Alex's ground-breaking series on unit-testing Transact-SQL code. Here, he shows how you can test the way that your application handles database-related errors such as constraint-violations or deadlocks. With a properly-constructed test-harness you can ensure that the end-user need never see the apparent gobbledegook of database system error messages, and that they are properly and robustly handled by the application.
Security Overview for Database Administrators
SQL Server 2008 is secure by design, default, and deployment. Microsoft is committed to communicating information about threats, countermeasures, and security enhancements as necessary to keep your data as secure as possible. This paper covers some of the most important security features in SQL Server 2008. It tells you how, as an administrator, you can install SQL Server securely and keep it that way, even as applications and users make use of the data stored within.
The Vacation Dilemma
Does vacation cause extra stress at your job before or after you leave? Steve Jones asks a poll question this Friday to see how you feel.
Blogs
Claude AI Convinced Me Not to Build an iPad App
By Steve Jones
I coach volleyball and I do a lot of stat stuff on paper. I...
A New Word: Dolorblindness
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dolorblindness – n. the frustration that you’ll never be able to understand another person’s...
Claude Code Helps Analyze Test Data Manager Log Files
By Steve Jones
I had a customer ask about analyzing their Test Data Manager (TDM) usage to...
Forums
Data Warehouse Toolkit meets Star Schema: The Complete Reference
Is there a good syllabus for reading these two together? (Yes, it's called the...
GPX distance and time analysis in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item GPX distance and time analysis...
The DBA is Dead; Long Live the DBA
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The DBA is Dead; Long...
Question of the Day
Changing the AG Listener
In SQL Server 2025, if I want to remove an IP from a listener, what do I do?
See possible answers