How much backup is enough?
How much backup data should you keep around and what are the implications? Part 2 of a series looking at backups and their implications.
Generating Test Data with Integration Services
DTS was one of the most amazing new features of SQL Server 7 and in SQL Server 2005 it has been renamed to Integration Services. This component has some incredible new capabilities, many of which come at a steep learning curve. New author Kristian Wedberg brings us a basic article and some code on how you can SSIS to generate test data.
Executing the result set
SQL Server Database administrators often generate SQL Statements and execute the generated SQL statement in order to simplify certain tasks. It has always been a twin operation. This article illustrates how to use un-documented stored procedures to execute the generated SQL Statements directly.
Dynamic SQL or Stored Procedure
We've had a lot of coverage of dynamic sql (including another great one from Robert Marda later this week) but this one is a little different. Done in a question/answer format, Andy tries to explain to junior developers why dynamic sql is to be avoided, how to do so, what to do when you can't.
Tableau set for BI feast
Newly surfaced Tableau Software aims to revolutionize the acquisition and deployment process with its product suite, Tableau Professional and Standard Editions. To a significant degree, it has succeeded...
SQL Server Spotlight on Brian Welcker
Who builds SQL Server? It's an interesting collection of individuals and we're looking to bring you some profiles of the entire team. Brian Weckler, reporting services guru, is the subject of this interview.
Mastering OLAP Reporting: Extending Conditional Formatting: SWITCH and
We will use SWITCH() to enact conditional formatting in a couple of different ways. First, we will use it to drive formatting of a value to meet requirements that are based upon the magnitude of the value itself. As a part of our practice with SWITCH() to achieve our ends, we will delve into a popular formatting convention for negative (and other "outlier") numbers.
Executing SQL Server Jobs From An External Scheduler
SQL Server 2000 has a great scheduler in SQL Agent, but it isn't integrated with anything else. And with lots of servers, having a centralized environment is essential to keeping yourself from being overworked. Author Sureshkumar Ramakrishnan brings us his technique for running SQL Server jobs from an external scheduler.
Who Is Using SQL Server 2005?
The release of SQL Server 2005 is a few months away and there are many people that are excited and looking forward to moving the new release into production. But what percentage of people are really looking to adopt the new platform soon? Edgewood Solutions has put together a survey to see. Enter and you could win a prize.
SQL Server Stumper Sale
The amazing 4S sale! Our space constraints are your gains as we've put a bunch of books on sale. Check them out and save.
Blogs
The Benefits of Teaching
By Brian Kelley
Even preparing for a class or seminar with set materials takes a lot of...
Power BI, Excel, OneLake – Dreams Do Come True!
By DataOnWheels
I can’t believe it’s finally here! A way to have Excel live in OneDrive...
The Book of Redgate: What Our Staff Says
By Steve Jones
This image is from 2010, and it goes along with my last post of...
Forums
Help! MEMORY_ALLOCATION_EXT wait stalls
Hi I have an overnight process that moves allot of claims records Been working...
Unlocking Data Transformation: My journey with dbt (Data Build Tool) on SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Unlocking Data Transformation: My journey...
Putting the Player with the Number
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Putting the Player with the...
Question of the Day
Putting the Player with the Number
In SQL Server 2025, what does this return?
DECLARE @player varchar(20) = 'Bo Nix', @num VARCHAR = '10' SELECT @player || @numSee possible answers