Why bother with backup?

Backing up SQL Server data is like many of the things we do because we figure we need to. It is good for you, like eating a good diet and getting exercise. Unfortunately, folks are often about as successful with SQL Server backups as they are with diet and exercise.

This is the first in a series of articles covering SQL Server database backup. The series starts from the very basics of why database backup is important. The question of why to backup a database can inform many other decisions.

How to Check the Status of a File Before Processing

SQL Server Database administrators often copy(refer Fig 1.0) huge files, such as Full backup files and transaction log backup files from production to QA or from production to development environment and so on. Sometimes they need to copy source data files for importing. If they want to restore those Full backups or transaction log backup files or import those huge source files, they have to wait until the copy is complete.

Notes from Software Developements Expo 05

Our own Andy Warren recently spent a week in Santa Clara at the Software Development Magazine's SExpo 05. He shares a few notes on the experience. This conference is for all platforms and might be something for you if you are a software developer.

Steel City SQL

If you're in the Birmingham area, a new SQL Server users group, affiliated with PASS is forming. User groups are a great way to meet people and do some networking in your area. The first meeting is later this month, so if you can, drop by.

A Call to Arms

Long anticipated, the arrival of radically restructured database architectures is now finally at hand. By Jim Gray of Microsoft Research.

XML Indexing In SQL Server 2005

Intrested in how to index XML documents? Here's a 12 page PDF on how this works.

Migrating Database Objects

Not a fun task, although SQL Server 2000 makes the job easier than a few other platforms. Still it's work and it starts to encroach on Jeffrey Yao's two DBA laws having to do with fun at work. Read about his laws and see if you agree and follow along on a real world adventure in migrating hundreds of database objects to a new database.

Reporting Services vs. Crystal Reports

A Feature comparison of Reporting Services for SQL 2000 and Crystal Reports / Crystal Enterprise. PDF file link.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to patch SQL Server, part 2

Welcome to part two of our series on finding and patching SQL Servers in your organization. In part one we discussed how to find all of the SQL Server instances on your network. In this part, we'll discuss patch deployment and the various options available to you.

Introduction to MSSQL Server Analysis Services: Presentation Nuances:

In this article, we will examine a subject that is near and dear to broadly focused report authors - the use of cube structure to create desired cosmetic effects - in the Cube Browser, and more importantly, in a reporting environment. I constantly get e-mails, and see questions in forums and elsewhere, asking how to achieve effects that are not apparently "available" in "intuitive" cube structures, such as any of those that we see in the sample cubes. One of the apparent "shortfalls" that frustrate users is their inability to display the same dimension on both the "x-" and "y-" axes for presentation purposes.