April Bloopers
Steve takes a day off from the editorials with this blooper reel from the podcasts. Be sure to watch the video.
Same Report but Different Methods in SQL Server Reporting Services
In Reporting Services in SQL Server 2005 there are several ways of achieving the same result. This article introduces how we can create the same report using several different methods.
SQL Server Reporting Services Configuration Tool
Installing SQL Server Reporting Services is just the first step in building the foundation for a solid Reporting Services instance. The second step in the process is configuring Reporting Services to conform to the particulars of your environment. These configurations are made to the RSServer.config file via the Reporting Services Configuration Tool.
Write your own sp_lock system stored procedure in SQL Server 2005
The sp_lock system stored procedure is a great tool for checking the amount of locking that occurs on your database system. It returns the number and types of locks that are being held by current active SQL Server sessions.
Four Rules for NULLs
In SQL Server 2000 or any relational database, the concept of NULL can be both confusing and hazardess to your employment. Not understanding how to work with NULLs can lead to incorrect responses to queries and poor business decisions being made. New author Michael Coles brings us four rules that can help you work with NULL values in your tables.
SQL Server 2005 Adoption Survey Results
We recently ran a survey at SQLServerCentral.com and got over 600 responses. Here are the results and some commentary from Steve Jones
The Credit Debate
As databases grow, we store more and more types of data. This Friday's poll asks what types of data you don't want to store.
Get More Out of SQL Server Reporting Services Charts
This white paper presents general information, best practices, and tips for designing charts within Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services reports. It provides an overview of some Reporting Services features, answers common chart design and feature questions, and includes advanced examples of how to design better charts.
Implementing a Generic Data Access Layer in ADO.NET Part 1
In Part 1 of a 3 Part Series Joydip Kanjilal discusses the implementation of a provider independent Data Access Layer in ADO.NET.
Standard Query Operators with LINQ
LINQ to Objects and LINQ to Entities have an arsenal of Standard Query Operators that operate on sequences to perform a wide variety of operations.
Blogs
Monday Monitor Tips: Intelligent Alert Thresholds
By Steve Jones
At the recent Redgate Summit in Chicago, I demo’d (lightly) the ML based Alert...
A New Word: los vidados
By Steve Jones
los vidados – n. the half-remembered acquaintances you knew years ago, who you might...
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
Forums
String_agg not working as needed
I'm trying to get this string_agg to put all the 'comments' into one result...
Vectors in SQL Server 2025
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Vectors in SQL Server 2025
Odd Sequences
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Odd Sequences
Question of the Day
Odd Sequences
What values are returned from this code?
CREATE SEQUENCE NumericSequence
AS NUMERIC(5,1)
START WITH 1.0
INCREMENT BY 0.1;
GO
SELECT NEXT VALUE FOR NumericSequence
GO
SELECT NEXT VALUE FOR NumericSequence
GO See possible answers