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SQL Server 2005 Books
There have been a huge number of SQL Server 2005 books released in the last year, but which ones are worth buying? Here are reviews
of three new books from one of the SQL Server gurus.
Creating cross tab queries and pivot tables in SQL
For those times when you absolutely, positively got to perform a cross tab query in SQL, Keith Fletcher's T-SQL stored procedure will allow you to do it "on the fly". You can add it to your database and start cross tabbing immediately, without any further setup or changes to you SQL code. Check it out, and then take the cross tab challenge.
Sic Semper NULL
The great debate over NULLs will probably never end. Should we use them in our databases? What meaning do they have? These are all
valid questions. In this article SQL Server expert Michael Coles takes a look at the problems that are inherent in eliminating NULLs completely from
a database.
The NEWSEQUENTIALID Function
The NEWSEQUENTIALID system function is an addition to SQL Server 2005. It seeks to bring together, what used to be, conflicting requirements in SQL Server 2000; namely identity-level insert performance and globally unique values.
Take an Exam, get TechNet
If you are thinking of taking a SQL Server 2005 MCP exam, now is the time to do it. And with exam insurance, you can get two chances to pass and a free year of Technet!
Using Multiple Active Result Sets (MARS)
SQL Server 2005 has so many new features that in my opinion if you read only BOL for a year you'd find something new every day. One of those is Multiple Active Result Sets or MARS. Multiple Active Result Sets is a new SQL Server 2005 feature that, putting it simply, allows the user to run more than one SQL batch on an open connection at the same time.
Twiddling the knobs: The Default Backup directory
What's the best way to change the default backup directory for a server, using SSMS or Enterprise Manager, without changing all the default directories at the same time? What is the TSQL to do it? A prize for the best correct solution.
Sales Order Workshop Part IV
In the fourth installment of this series, Jacob Sebastian moves on to SQL Server 2005 and the new XML capabilities that make
working with XML data easier than ever.
Delivering on SQL Server
Having been at the sharp end of many successful SQL Server solutions, I believe there are some fundamental principles that all successful SQL Server installations have in common. Whilst the challenges in delivering an enterprise-scale database-intensive application can be wide and varied, there are a few basic practises that will give you the best possible chance of success.
Blogs
Flyway Tips: AI Helps with Commit Messages
By Steve Jones
At Redgate, we’re experimenting with how AI can help developers and DBAs become better...
Startup scripts in SQL Server containers
I was messing around performing investigative work on a pod running SQL Server 2025...
Using SQL Compare with Redgate Data Modeler
By Steve Jones
Redgate recently released SQL Compare v16, which included a new feature to work with...
Forums
What is Page Density
Comments posted to this topic are about the item What is Page Density
T-SQL in SQL Server 2025: Fuzzy String Search II
Comments posted to this topic are about the item T-SQL in SQL Server 2025:...
Azure-SSIS, Self-Hosted Integration Runtime, & Data Gateway?
Looking to confirm my understanding of these three products and how they can be...
Question of the Day
What is Page Density
In SQL Server, there is a concept of page density. This is determined by how much data is stored on each page. What is a page density of 90%?
See possible answers