Introduction to SQLCMD
SQL Server 2005 has deprecated osql and isql as command line tools and replaced them with SQLCMD. Haidong Ji brings us an introduction to this new tool and a few tricks to make you more productive when using it.
New 64-bit sqlSentry Enhances Performance and Scalability
sqlSentry, a leading developer of management solutions for Microsoft SQL Server, today announced that it has released the 64-bit version of its industry-leading scheduling and notification management system for SQL Server 2005, supporting both x64 and Itanium-based systems.
SED and the Big Bad UNIX File
One would think that when you have to work with Unix text files, they would be the same as Windows text files. That is not quite the case and Peter Ward brings us a look at how this caused a problem in DTS and a way you can fix it.
A surrogate key architecture to perform powerful database operations
The alternative to surrogate keys is natural data keys. In order to understand the many substantial benefits of surrogate keys it's necessary to discuss some background on the issues involved.
Usage-Based Optimization in Analysis Services 2005
In this lesson, we revisit usage-based optimization, a subject that we undertook in my article MSAS Administration and Optimization: Simple Cube Usage Analysis, in September of 2003, and MSAS Administration and Optimization: Toward More Sophisticated Analysis in October of 2003. In the earlier articles, we discovered that, among several tools that Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services offered us to assist in the maintenance and optimization of our cubes, two of these tools, the Usage Analysis Wizard and the Usage-Based Optimization Wizard, leveraged the usage-based optimization features of Analysis Services.
PART 8: ESTIMATION
Data modeling is no doubt one of the most important and challenging aspects of developing, maintaining, augmenting and integrating typical enterprise systems. More than 90% of functionality of enterprise systems is centered round creating, manipulating and querying data. It therefore stands to reason that individuals managing enterprise projects should leverage on data modeling to execute their projects successfully and deliver not only capable and cost effective but also maintainable and extendable systems
SQL Writer in SQL Server 2005
Definitely written for backup ISVs, but this is an interesting architectural article as to how the backup systems will work in SQL Server 2005.
Outer Join Trouble
Writing outer joins can be more difficult than it appears at first glance. Steve Jones examines this less often used query technique and brings to light a few places where you can lose data.
THE ROLE OF DATA DICTIONARY
IT leaders from enterprises around the world have realized that acquiring and implementing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) application packages is a smarter thing to do, than the traditional approach of developing home-grown applications. This may not be the fit-for-all solution, but it makes sense from a cost, time to market and resource standpoint. Selection and acquisition of the software package is just the first step. How the software package brings value through successful implementation, is critical to the business. Internal groups as well as industry analysts will closely watch COTS package implementation in the organization.
Clustered Indexes in SQL Server: Things You Need to Know
This article covers a few, more advanced topics about the usage of clustered indexes in SQL Server. Not only will I try to convince you of the absolute necessity of using clustered indexes, I'll also give you some tips on how to use them in a not so obvious context.
Blogs
A New Word: on tenderhooks
By Steve Jones
on tenderhooks – adj. feeling the primal satisfaction of being needed by someone, which...
Ramblings about data communities and your contributions, no excuses
By DataOnWheels
I have been active in the data community throughout my career. I have met...
SQL Server Journey till 2025 (brief)
By Vinay Thakur
Quick Summary for Microsoft SQL Server till 2025, I am fortunate to be part...
Forums
how do i map the "current" object entry in for each to one variable
hi, in an ssis for each loop over an object variable called MyListVariable, i...
Simulating Mercury’s Orbital Motion Using Pure T-SQL (NASA 2025 Dataset)
SQL Server is typically viewed as a transactional or analytical database engine. However, it...
Azure SQL Database | CREATE EVENT SESSION [Blocking_Capture] ON DATABASE
Hello, Is there a way in Azure SQL Database to change the 'Blocking Process...
Question of the Day
String Similarity I
On SQL Server 2025, when I run this, what is returned?
SELECT EDIT_DISTANCE_SIMILARITY('SQL Server', 'MySQL') See possible answers