SQLServerCentral Editorial

The Skill Set of the Exceptional DBA

In my previous editorial on this topic, I stated that the An Exceptional DBA is defined more by what they do than what they know. Judging by the responses, there is little disputing this fact among DBW readers. However, before we accept technical knowledge as a "given", and move on, I'd like to consider the […]

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Identify SQL Server 2005 Standard Login Settings

Gaining insight into my SQL Server standard and Windows logins has historically been a challenge in terms of determining password changes, failed login attempts, etc. I have noticed that you have experienced the same issue with your tip entitled 'When was the last time the SQL Server sa password changed' and I have noticed some information in the forums on the topic as well.

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Question of the Day

Fixing the Error

On SQL Server 2025, I have a database that has this collation: SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS. I decide I want to run this code:

SELECT UNISTR('*3041*308A*304C*3068 and good night', '*') AS 'A Classic';
I get this error:Msg 9844, Level 16, State 4, Line 24 The char/varchar input type uses an unsupported collation. Only a UTF8 collation is supported with char/varchar input type in UNISTR function.What is the easiest way to fix this error?

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