Ask the Experts
Ask the Experts
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How do the T-SQL commands TRUNCATE TABLE and DELETE differ?
TRUNCATE TABLE and DELETE are T-SQL statements with similar functions, but that doesn't make them interchangeable. They operate differently and use different amounts of SQL Server resources. Continue Reading
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What is the benefit to Microsoft SQL Server Express on Azure?
Microsoft recently announced that it has added Microsoft SQL Server Express to Azure. Expert Robert Sheldon shares what he sees as the benefits and pitfalls. Continue Reading
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SQL PIVOT helps merge results into a single row
SQL Server expert Denny Cherry shows how code can be used to the same effect as a SQL PIVOT statement. Continue Reading
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Five steps for a successful backup of a stored procedure in SQL Server
Follow these steps to use Management Studio for SQL 2005 for a successful SQL Server stored procedure backup. Continue Reading
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Licensing a standby server for SQL Server replication
Is a license needed for a standby server if it's used for SQL Server replication? Get that answer and a comparison of SQL Server log shipping to replication. Continue Reading
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Configuring SQL Server with a changed computer name
Find out how to reconfigure all aspects of your SQL Server after your computer name has been changed. Continue Reading
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Tool to synchronize two SQL Server databases
Discover a tool that synchronizes two SQL Server databases allowing changes to one SQL Server database to update on the other. Continue Reading
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Use SQL Profiler to find long running stored procedures and commands
Troubleshoot long running stored procedures with SQL Server Profiler by adding events to find the command with high run time. Continue Reading
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Maintain large SQL Server database and resolve website 'Timeout Error'
If you have exceptionally large SQL Server databases, refer to these best practices for proper database maintenance to steer clear of a website 'Timeout Error.' Continue Reading
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Using BULK INSERT to insert rows from SQL Server dataset to table
Learn how to use BULK INSERT to import all SQL Server dataset rows to a table. Continue Reading
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What is the code to restore SQL Server databases in VB?
Learn how to restore a SQL Server database in VB.Net using this ADO.Net code sample provided by our expert. Continue Reading
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Workaround to Reporting Services error in SQL Server Express
Discover a SQL Server workaround to fix an error that pops up when trying to view a report in the Report Manager when using Reporting Services in SQL Server Express. Continue Reading
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How to set SQL Server password for SA login
Learn how to set a SQL Server password to an SA login and why you can not set this account for access to separate SQL Server databases. Continue Reading
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Code to connect SQL Server 7.0 to Visual Basic 6.0
Get the code to connect SQL Server version 7.0 to Visual Basic 6.0. Continue Reading
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Creating a login in SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Manager
Find how to create a SQL Server 2000 login account and then set user account rights to specific databases with "db_owner." Continue Reading
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Query to find SQL Server database names created by users
Find how to query in SQL Server to get all database names created by users. Continue Reading
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How to migrate DTS to SSIS and deploy SSIS packages
Migrate DTS packages to SQL Server Integration Services with Migration Wizard and deploy SSIS packages in SQL 2005. Learn how to access DTS Designer tool. Continue Reading
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Should I use BULK INSERT to import data from file to SQL Server databases, or a stored procedure?
Looking for a stored procedure to import data from a file to a SQL Server database? Perhaps all you need is the BULK INSERT command. Continue Reading
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Retrieve images from SQL Server and store in VB.Net
Having difficulty retrieving images from a SQL Serve database to a VB.Net application? Get best practices to retrieve, store and manage SQL Server images. Continue Reading
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Can you import Excel data to SQL Server Reporting Services?
Importing data to SQL Server reporting Services is not an option. But here's how to create reports and use Excel spreadsheets as data sources. Continue Reading
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Should I use the SQL Server INSTEAD OF trigger to update a table, or a regular trigger?
Find how to use the INSTEAD OF trigger to update a SQL Server table for myDate and myTime. Continue Reading
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How to insert into SQL Server system tables
Get the stored procedure to enable SQL Server updates to the systems' catalog in SQL Server 2005. Continue Reading
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Installing different SQL Server versions on one machine
Different SQL Server versions can be installed on one machine, learn how and get the best practices for SQL Server installation and compatibility. Continue Reading
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Executing a trigger before SQL Server table is updated
Triggers in SQL Server can be executed before a table is updated. Get triggers to read and extract table values before and after the table is updated. Continue Reading
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Calling an extended stored procedure in SQL Server 2005
Find out why problems calling an extended stored procedure in SQL Server 2005 can involve security settings. Continue Reading
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Is it possible to search for rows containing underscores in SQL Server?
Is it possible to do a SQL Server search for a row with particular strings containing an underscore? Learn how to structure the WHERE clause to search for such rows. Continue Reading
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Create username and password for new SQL Server database
I have created a SQL Server 2005 database and I plan to protect it with a username and password. I'm unclear as to how to do this. How can I make a security system for my new database with its security objects? Continue Reading
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Protect against SQL Injection by whitelisting
OK, admittedly the best practice for guarding against SQL Injection attacks is to white-ist acceptable characters. However, given that knowledge is power, is there a comprehensive list of special characters (such as the single-quote or double-hyphen... Continue Reading
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User password display in SQL Server
I am trying to find out which password I have assigned to the user schema on my SQL Server 2000. I know that you can change the password, but I've had some grief with that application in the past. I know where the password is stored, but it is in ... Continue Reading
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Call triggers in a stored procedure
Can I call triggers in stored procedures or vice versa? Continue Reading
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SQL Server permission to create jobs and schedules in SSIS
We're having a lot of trouble scheduling and editing SSIS jobs in SQL Server 2005. The SA has created a proxy account for us to create SSIS packages. We're able to create jobs and schedules, but they're not running. Also, once we create a job and a ... Continue Reading
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SSIS package to filter false records
I have a table, let's call it AlarmTriggers and it has a Boolean field pulled into it. When my software writes to it the table doesn't set the field to true. It's kept false. I want to use an SSIS package that filters all false records in the table ... Continue Reading
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Cross database access when executing stored procedures
Executing a stored procedure that draws from tables on other databases requires the option of cross-database ownership chaining. SQL Server development expert shares what you'll need to investigate this server option. Continue Reading
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SQL vs. T-SQL
SQL Server 2005 and T-SQL do have differences. The advantages and disadvantages would depend user environment as described by SQL Server 2005 expert Adam Machanic. Continue Reading
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SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition vs. Standard Edition
SQL Server expert Adam Machanic highlights the differences to consider when weighing the move to SQL Server 2005 Enterprise and Standard Edtions. Continue Reading
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Common DBMS table and column name restrictions
SQL Server 2000 DBMS table and column name restrictions are detailed by expert Joe Toscano Continue Reading
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Performing incremental loads and extracting data
SQL Server Security Expert Joe Toscano shares source data tables designed to easily perform an incremental load / extract. Continue Reading
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Generating multiple flat files from a single flat file source
Generating multiple flat files from a single flat file source could be done by first creating a DTS package with Custom Active Script task. Continue Reading
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Writing a generic audit trail trigger in SQL Server
Writing a generic audit trail trigger in SQL Server to keep track of inserts, deletes, and updates within a table is explained in this expert response. Continue Reading
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The pros and cons of data warehousing
SQL Server expert Eric Brown explains the pros and cons of data warehousing. Continue Reading
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What is a SQL Server instance?
SQL Server expert Adam Machanic's definition of a SQL Server instance. Continue Reading
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Passing column and table names as parameters
DTS/SSIS Joe Toscano answers a user's question about passing column and table names as parameters within a stored procedure. Continue Reading
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Copying views from one database server to another
SQL Server expert Joe Toscano tells explains how to use a stored procedure to copy a view in one database to another. Continue Reading
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Connecting to SQL Server using Visual Studio
SQL Server expert Eric Brown provides some helpful information on connecting to SQL Server using Visual Studio. Continue Reading
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A sample query for students with most classes
Expert Adam Machanic offers a sample query to find the names of the students enrolled in the largest number of classes. Continue Reading
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Resolve errors received when restoring a database in SQL Server
See how to restore a database after receiving a server error message by first running this command SQL Server as advised by our expert. Continue Reading
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What's the best approach for restoring MSDB on another server?
Expert Greg Robidoux explains how to restore MSDB on another server while also allowing users access. Continue Reading
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Sum aggregate operation won't take varchar data type
The sum or average aggregate operation cannot take a varchar data type as an argument. So how can this user sum the total? Development expert Greg Low explains. Continue Reading
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SQLCLR permission sets
SQL Server 2005 expert Adam Machanic discusses SQL CLR permission sets in this expert response. Continue Reading
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Overcoming SQL Server's 8060-byte row limit
SQL Server 2005 expert Adam Machanic discusses an important feature called row overflow, which greatly relaxes the 8060-byte restriction. Continue Reading
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Relationship between SQL Service Broker and Microsoft Message Queuing
SQL Server 2005 expert Adam Machanic discusses the relationship between SQL Server Broker and Microsoft Message Queuing. Continue Reading
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Aggregate functions in SQL Server 2005
SQL Server 2005 expert Adam Machanic answers a commonly asked question regarding aggregate functions in SQL Server 2005. Continue Reading
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Performance differences between Windows and Linux-based databases
Get help making an apples-to-apples comparison of database performance in Windows vs. Linux systems. Performance and Tuning expert Jeremy Kadlec gives you several factors to consider. Continue Reading
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Connecting Visual Basic to SQL Server
If you've had trouble connecting Visual Basic to SQL Server, let expert Andrew Novick offer some basic advice to get you started. Continue Reading
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Storing an image file in SQL Server
Development expert explains the simplest way to store an image in SQL Server. Continue Reading
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Character limit in a database field
I have an MS SQL Server 2000 database with a field which is a varchar(255). My clients understand that the text descriptions which they enter to describe an event is limited to 255 characters; however, what is happening is that MS SQL is truncating ... Continue Reading
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How can I transfer data from a SQL server to a mainframe without using FTP?
How can I transfer data from a SQL server to a mainframe without using FTP? I have an extremely large amount of data to transfer and FTP takes too long. Continue Reading
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Stored procedures looking at different databases
Expert Andrew Novick reveals how to execute a store procedure in one database look at tables in another database. Continue Reading
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How do I run a T-SQL query to loop through all databases?
Find out how to run a T-SQL query to loop through all databases. Continue Reading
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Stored procedures and remote procedure calls
Expert Andrew Novick determines whether a stored procedure is also a remote procedure call. Continue Reading
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Using newid in SQL Server to insert records in parent-child tables
In SQL Server parent-child tables, the child records seem to have no information about the unique ID given by SQL to the parent record. Developer expert Andrew Novick explains how to address this problem. Continue Reading
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All about data purging
What is data purging? What technology or method can I use to purge data in SQL Server 2000? Continue Reading
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Query processing in relational systems vs. low-level query languages
How does query processing in relational systems differ from the processing of low-level query languages? Continue Reading
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Writing stored procedures in SQL Server to import data
How do you write stored procedures in SQL Server to import data from other servers, such as Oracle and Access as well as from text files. Setting up the source server as a Linked Server makes the task easier. Continue Reading
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Nested query or Inner join?
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Display all tables from SQL Server using Visual Basic 6.0
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How to use results from one stored procedure in another
Development expert Andrew Novick explains how to use the results from a Crystal Reports stored procedure in another stored procedure. Continue Reading
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What are the differences between SQL-89, SQL-92, and SQL-99?
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How to set up a QA box that closely simulates production
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SQL Server 2005 bitmap index?
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Best practices for backing up the master, model, and msdb databases
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What is the difference between the WHERE and HAVING clause?
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In a SQL database, how do I delete from table A without deleting a matching row in table B?
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TOP query with multiple columns
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ISO/ANSI SQL and the GROUP BY clause
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Joining derived tables
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Counting days per month in a date range, part 1 of 2
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NULL columns in a LEFT OUTER JOIN
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Joining two many-to-many relationship tables
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Extract surname from name column
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Creating a DTS package
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In-place versus side-by-side upgrade
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Installing SQL Server 2000 on Windows XP
SQL Server 2000 installation on Windows XP is explained, including the ins and outs of installing the Desktop and Developer Edition versus the Enterprise Edition. Continue Reading
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"Max connections reached" error
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WHERE clause not being passed over database link
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Fine-grained auditing in SQL Server?
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Copying stored procedures from one SQL Server to another
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Selecting columns without specifying column name
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Replicating SQL Server over the Internet, part 1
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Deleting duplicate records with a single query
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Locking out accounts with unsuccessful login attempts
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Updating 100,000 records in less than one minute
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Encrypting password fields in SQL Server
Third party application aren't necessary to create a password field inside a SQL Server database, or to decrypt the field when validating users. Just use an encryption algorithm in your application. A tool called Encryptionizer can do this for you. Continue Reading
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Listing invalid objects
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Building nested tables in SQL Server?
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Is it safe to remove the BUILTIN/Administrator account?
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Replicating DB2 data to SQL Server
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COUNT DISTINCT in VB and Access
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Restoring Sybase dump into SQL Server?
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Column contents truncated when exported to Excel file