New Beta Search
We've been working on it over the years, trying to get some search engine that works. Well, we're trying a new one from Surfinity. Give it a try and let us know how it works. Read on for a few details about what we're using.
The Best of SQLServerCentral.com - Vol. 2
Once again it's taken longer than expected, but it's out! The second version in print and PDF of the best articles from 2003. Read about it and pick up a copy to support the site.
Freeware: Tablesizer
How many times do you need to estimate space for a new application? Or estimate growth for an existing one? We've had a new contribution to the freeware section of the site. Tablesizer will allow you to guesstimate how much disk space you'll need. Take a peek if you need it, rate the product and give the author any feedback you have.
Books on line update
Books on line has been updated since the release of SQL2000.
If you check the documentation for the sp_addlogin stored procedure and example E says
SELECT CONVERT(VARBINARY(32), password) then you should update your installation.
Seven Showplan Red Flags
SQL Server showplan is a great tool for analyzing queries and determining whether or not more performance tuning needs to be done. However working with showplan can be confusing and it takes some practice to learn the ins and outs of what is occurring. Joseph Sack looks at showplan and seven of the main things that he is aware of when looking at the results. If you've rarely or never used showplan, this is a great article to get started in learning how an experienced DBA views the output.
An Is Null Gotcha
In T-SQL you should use the IS NULL keywords to test for a null value. But David Poole runs into a strange gotcha in one of his applications where he is testing for a null value. It's an interesting read following Sherlock Poole around on his hunt to find an error.
DTS Parallel Processing
SQL Server DTS is an amazing ETL tool. Parallel processing is not only possible, but author Leo Peysakhovich shows us how he does it in this article about his index rebuild process. By bundling DTS into SQL Server for free, Microsoft gave us a platform for not only ETL, but also many basic tasks that all DBAs are stuck working on. Read on to see if parallel processing of index rebuilds is something you can use.
Save Your Password
Storing passwords in SQL Server for authentication by your application is a common practice. But not always a good one. Someone with access could easily see all passwords and perhaps cause mischief inside your application. Imagine the office gossip getting access to your HR application as the HR director! Not a good thing. Dinesh Asanka has written a short piece on how you can use a built in function in SQL Server to encrypt these passwords and use them with a minimum of effort.
Is all code really code? One question from an interview
Andy discusses one of the questions he uses to screen senior developer candidates. While the question itself is interesting, we think it will be more interesting to see how many of you agree with one of his positions - that developers think of program code and sql code as different animals, especially when it comes to debugging.
Data Migration - Quickly Inserting New Data
Migrating data from one SQL Server database to another can be challenging. Steve Jones has a new series that looks at various techniques that he's used to move data into a new database. This one looks at how you can quickly take Excel based data and insert it into a new database without using DTS.
Blogs
SQL Server 2025 RegEx and AI
By Steve Jones
One of the language changes in SQL Server 2025 that I’ve seen a lot...
T-SQL Tuesday #192: SQL Server 2025 Backup Changes
By Steve Jones
I hosted this month, but I decided to put my own entry in as...
Why Databases Still Fascinate Me
By Chris Yates
I get asked a lot about why or how I began working with databases...
Forums
Columnstore index question
Hi experts, I’ve been going through several articles and videos about Columnstore indexes, but...
Transactional Replication
Recently stood up a 2022 Enterprise server. Have 8 publications with subscriptions on a...
Member was not found in the cube when the string
Hey, I've not done a cube for many years but I find myself supporting...
Question of the Day
Identify a Slipstream Installation
I get a new SQL Server instance from my build team. How can I tell if the instance was installed using a slipstream installation later?
See possible answers