Importing Text-based data: Workbench
Robyn and Phil return with some fresh ideas about how to import text files into SQL Server, without resorting to DTS or SSIS scripting. They go on to show how much can be done in TSQL
SQL Saturday 2007 - Free Orlando SQL Server Event in November
The Orlando PASS Chapter is hosting a free SQL Server event on November 10th, 2007. They have 30 technical sessions scheduled and more than 270 people have registered to attend! I know a few of the people organizing this and it should be a GREAT event!
String Functions: The .Properties Function, Part II
Business Intelligence Architect Bill Pearson continues his hands-on introduction to the .Properties function. In this article, we examine the use of the TYPED flag within the .Properties function to deliver a strongly typed value using .Properties.
Linking Access to SQL Server
For quick and dirty work, sometimes Access is the best way to work with SQL Server. Andy Warren brings a basic tutorial on how you can link Access to your SQL Server tables to easily and quickly manipulate data.
A Brief History of Programming, Part 1
In part 1 of his series on the history of programming, David Chisnall takes a look at some of the developments of the last few decades that have created the current crop of languages and discusses where they came from.
Using the kill to cure
Code profiling tools can help cure most performance problems, but sometimes the problem is so severe that you'll first need to know how to wield computing's least understood tool, the debugger, before diving in with the Profiler. Brian Donahue, Crash Scene Investigator, is on hand to explain why.
Getting the Most Out of SQL Server 2000's Query Analyzer, Part III
In this article, Brian Kelley continues his series on Query Analyzer for SQL Server 2000. Query Analyzer offers a highly configurable integrated development environment (IDE). Some of the areas Brian looks at are how to modify the fonts and colors, set connection settings, choose scripting options, and customizing file and result set options. Learn how to make the most of the IDE and make it work for you.
Reverse Engineering Alias Data Types in SQL Server 2000 - Part IV
In this article we are going to see how to change an ADT that is linked to columns with Unique Constraint(s) or Check Constraint(s).
Unstructured Data
I remember when Windows 3.1 started to gain widespread deployment in businesses. With all it's WYSIWYG features and multiple applications running at the same time, many people felt we'd get to a paperless office. Over a decade later I rarely see an office that doesn't have a copy machine and at least one printer. We've gotten better at shuffling bits, but we haven't gotten rid of paper.
Using DMO to Restore a Database
This article by Andy Warren includes code samples showing you how to restore a database from a file or a device backup.
Blogs
RANK() vs DENSE_RANK(): #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
I haven’t done one of these in awhile, but I saw an article recently...
Using CAT for Testing of Data Agents
In last months one of the scenarios where you can use AI has been...
Forums
Missing the Jaro Winkler Distance
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Missing the Jaro Winkler Distance
25 Years Later: What SQLServerCentral Meant to Me
Comments posted to this topic are about the item 25 Years Later: What SQLServerCentral...
Doing Good at SQL Server Central
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Doing Good at SQL Server...
Question of the Day
Missing the Jaro Winkler Distance
I upgraded a SQL Server 2019 instance to SQL Server 2025. I wanted to test the fuzzy string search functions. I run this code:
SELECT JARO_WINKLER_DISTANCE('tim', 'tom')
I get this error message:Msg 195, Level 15, State 10, Line 1 'JARO_WINKLER_DISTANCE' is not a recognized built-in function name.What is wrong? See possible answers