SQL Server 7.0 Log Shipping Frequently Asked Questions
This article addresses some common questions about the Log Shipping tool for Microsoft SQL Server 7.0.
Find The First Row
Ever needed to find the first occurrance of some data. This article looks at T-SQL querying for data in natural order.
Microsoft Certification Exams Included in VA Education
Microsoft Corp. today announced that veterans taking tests in the Microsoft® Certified Professional (MCP) program can now use their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits to cover examination fees (May 23, 2001).
Using Stored Procedures from ADO 2.1
If you’re running database-intensive code from Visual Basic or ASP, stored procedures can give you a great speed boost. With ADO 2.1, one of the components that makes up MDAC, this technique is easier to implement than ever.
Multiple paths in DTS Workflow
This article shows you how to create multiple converging paths in workflow, and covers the use of a simulated OR constraint, not available directly from within the designer.
Missing Temp Tables - Follow Up
Two weeks ago Andy challenged the readers of SQLServerCentral.com to figure out a small puzzle. Come see the results for yourself and find out who won some cash!
Undocumented T-SQL Tricks With Logs
An interesting feature added to SQL Server 7.0 and 2000 is the ability to purge
an error log through a stored procedure or DBCC command. In this article, Brian Knight shows some of the undocumented stored procedures to detect, read and purge an SQL Server error log in T-SQL.
Optimizing SQL Server Performance Using Files and Filegroups
Learn how to boost the performance of SQL Server by making proper use of filegroups.
Blogs
Microsoft announces new cybersecurity AI multi-model
By Brian Kelley
Yesterday, July 27, 2026, Microsoft announced a new cybersecurity effort called Project Perception. Included...
Getting the SQL Server MCP Server Running
By Steve Jones
If you’ve wanted a SQL Server MCP server for your databases, it’s available. The...
Introducing azsql-migration-test: Test and Validate Azure SQL Database Migrations
Introducing azsql-migration-test, a small open-source CLI that validates your Azure SQL Database migrations against...
Forums
Symmetric Key Encryption
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The “Successful Login” Dilemma: Why Your Login Auditing Strategy Might Be Hurting Your Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The “Successful Login” Dilemma: Why...
Building Your Own Software
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Building Your Own Software
Question of the Day
Symmetric Key Encryption
If I run this statement in SQL Server 2025, how is the password encrypted?
CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY MySymmetricKey WITH ALGORITHM = AES_256, KEY_SOURCE = 'My secret key source passphrase', IDENTITY_VALUE = 'My secret identity value' ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'S&perS#cretP@ssword7'; GOSee possible answers