SQLServerCentral Article

PASS Summit 2004

The 2004 premier SQL Server event, the PASS Summit is coming to Orlando in September. Once again we'er working with PASS to sponsor and promote this event. Read Steve Jones' take on this event and why it's worth your time and your company's money.

SQLServerCentral Article

ADO.NET - A Data Access Layer

Developing applications for SQL Server usually results in a variety of access methods that the programmers use. A data access layer class, given to the developers, is usually seen as the best practice, but one that isn't usually implemented. In fact, in most software I've built, each developer uses his own method, or may cut and paste from another, but rarely is there a central access class. New Author Patryk Nowakowski brings us his solution using ADO.NET.

SQLServerCentral Article

Using Different Techniques for SQL Server Automation

Automating SQL Server tasks is the sign of an experienced DBA. One who doesn't waste time on repetitive tasks that can be easily setup in a job, task, or some other scheduling process to run when they need to run. Haidong Ji has written a number of articles on how to perform automation and brings us yet another technique. This time he looks at managing your backup files, something that we all need to do, but all too often forget to do.

SQLServerCentral Article

Nightmare Contest

Murphy's law has struck us all, as evidenced by the disaster entries we've received in the past. Imceda software, makers of Litespeed are sponsoring a new contest, looking for your nightmares.

SQLServerCentral Article

Review: NGSSquirrel

NGS Software is in the security business and have been very successful in finding vulnerabilities in many products, notable SQL Server. They have used their expertise to build products to help you better secure your systems. Dale Corey looks at one of those products, NGSSquirrel, which does vulnerability assessment.

SQLServerCentral Article

Database Change Management: An Automated Approach

SQL Server change management is tough. The tools don't integrate with version control systems, there isn't good administrative controls to enforce control, and often you need to buy a third party tool to make this work. New Author Darren Fuller takes a look at the various ways in which you can implement version control in SQL Server. This is part one of a four part series on version control in SQL Server.

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Where Your Value Separates You from Others

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Fixing the Error

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T-SQL in SQL Server 2025: Encoding Functions

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Question of the Day

Fixing the Error

On SQL Server 2025, I have a database that has this collation: SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS. I decide I want to run this code:

SELECT UNISTR('*3041*308A*304C*3068 and good night', '*') AS 'A Classic';
I get this error:Msg 9844, Level 16, State 4, Line 24 The char/varchar input type uses an unsupported collation. Only a UTF8 collation is supported with char/varchar input type in UNISTR function.What is the easiest way to fix this error?

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