Importing Poorly Formatted Text Files using SSIS
Importing text files is a common task for DBA's and Developers, but what happens when the text file is not properly formatted?
SQL Puzzle 7
After a gap of sixteen months, Lionel Clarke, the creator of the only 3-D maze game to be written in TSQL, returns with a new SQL puzzle. It is very simple. You have to move as much of the data as you can from the source tables to the destination tables.
Using SQL Server 2008's MERGE statement
SQL Server 2008's new MERGE statement allows you to insert, update, or delete data based on certain join conditions in the same statement.
Which Platform Do You Work On?
The growth of SQL Server's subsystems leaves Steve Jones wondering how should we be thinking about the product.
XML Workshop X - Working with namespaces
With the tenth installment of his series on XML, Jacob Sebastian turns his attention to the art of namespaces and how you can avoid ambiguity in interpreting various elements.
Optimize tempdb in SQL Server by Striping and Splitting
Find pointers to optimize tempdb performance in SQL Server by striping and splitting across multiple files in SQL Server 2005.
The Baker's Dozen: 13 Productivity Tips for Transact-SQL 2005
SQL Server 2005 offers T-SQL language features that can improve your productivity.
PC Energy Use
Spreadsheet to calculate a reasonably accurate picture of energy use of PCs and peripherals in your company.
Whack a Database
The SQL Server team is looking for feedback on deleting databases and Steve Jones gives a few ideas.
Creating Custom Reports for SSMS
The new custom report feature of SQL Server 2005 SP2 allows you to incorporate Reporting Services report definitions (.rdl) files into SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
Blogs
Resetting on the AI hype train
By Brian Kelley
There's a great article from MIT Technology Review about resetting on the hype of...
A New Word: Etherness
By Steve Jones
etherness – n. the wistful feeling of looking around a gathering of loved ones,...
Vibe Coding a Login Tracking System
By Steve Jones
A customer was asking about tracking logins and logouts in Redgate Monitor. We don’t...
Forums
The Microsoft SQL Year in Review
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Microsoft SQL Year in...
T-SQL in SQL Server 2025: The || Operator
Comments posted to this topic are about the item T-SQL in SQL Server 2025:...
Your Value from a Conference
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Your Value from a Conference
Question of the Day
UNISTR Basics
What does this code return in SQL Server 2025+? (assume the database has an appropriate collation)
SELECT UNISTR('Hello 4E16754C') AS 'A Classic';
A: 
B: 
See possible answers