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SQL Server Database Modeling and Design
Five tips to avoid a performance bottleneck or other SQL Server snares
Basit Farooq provides five tips for SQL Server users, from avoiding a hardware performance bottleneck to dealing with database design. Continue Reading
SQL CONSTRAINT clauses: FOREIGN KEY, CHECK and DEFAULT
In SQL Server, SQL CONSTRAINT clauses let you control values entered into a column. Learn about FOREIGN KEY, CHECK and DEFAULT constraints here. Continue Reading
SQL CONSTRAINT clauses: PRIMARY KEY and UNIQUE
In SQL Server, SQL CONSTRAINT clauses let you control the kinds of values that get entered into a column. Learn about two of them here. Continue Reading
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Set database constraints using SQL Server Management Studio Table Designer
In addition to creating tables and adding columns, SQL Server Management Studio Table Designer can also set constraints. Continue Reading
Database index design and optimization: Some guidelines
What are the latest tips and tricks for database design and optimization? Check out this tip from Basit Farooq to learn more. Continue Reading
Top five features in SQL Server Developer Tools
SQL Server Developer Tools, also known as Project Juneau, made its debut in this summer’s Denali preview. Read up on five SSDT features.Continue Reading
Warned about table changes in SSMS? Here’s a workaround
Editing tables in SQL Server Management Studio and getting this warning, “Saving changes is not permitted”? It happens when the table needs to be re-created. But don’t fret. This change in SQL Server 2008 R2 can be undone with a simple tweak.Continue Reading
SQL Server merge replication using IIS
In older versions of SQL Server, securely replicating data between sites or companies was not easy to do. Microsoft SQL Server merge replication simplifies the process using Internet Information Services (IIS).Continue Reading
Where to look next for BI applications? Try the cloud
PowerPivot, SQL Azure and ‘Dallas’ combine to create BI applications in the cloud. Is that integration seamless and is it even for you?Continue Reading
Microsoft brings PHP integration to SQL Server Reporting Services
PHP isn’t just a Linux language anymore. With the help of a new SDK, developers can incorporate the scripting language with SQL Server reports.Continue Reading
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Open source tool simplifies database synchronization for SQL Server
A free tool for Microsoft SQL Server could help take the time out of syncing up public and development databases.Continue Reading
Top tips and tricks for SQL Server database development
Check out these handy database development best practices, with tips on dealing with batch updates, stored procedures and more.Continue Reading
Testing transaction log autogrowth behavior in SQL Server
Shrinking SQL Server transaction logs can undermine server performance. An expert runs various tests to demonstrate how transaction log files respond to several T-SQL commands and to determine whether shrinking files is necessary.Continue Reading
Can you shrink your SQL Server database to death?
In an effort to free up disk space, SQL Server DBAs often turn to shrinking the database as part of their SQL Server maintenance plan. When doing so, the database often needs to grow again to accommodate the new data inserted into the database. But ...Continue Reading
Check SQL Server database and log file size with this stored procedure
Knowing the size of a SQL Server database is one of the many DBA responsibilities that you can accomplish easily with the stored procedure sp_SDS. Not only will sp_SDS determine "SQL Database Space," but it can also be used to monitor database ...Continue Reading
Designing SQL Server non-clustered indexes for query optimization
Non-clustered indexes improve SQL Server query performance by focusing queries on a subset of data. In this tip, you'll find guidelines for designing non-clustered indexes, including choosing index fields, when a clustered index should be used ...Continue Reading
SAN considerations for your SQL Server environment
SANs surpass the performance of locally attached storage for its high availability and high performance access to data. In this tip, Contributor Hilary Cotter highlights what you need to consider when using SANs and how to test your SQL Server ...Continue Reading
Determining SQL Server database storage requirements
The first time you calculate storage requirements for a SQL Server database application is significantly important and should be done during the development phase. Here are two methods for pinpointing future storage needs.Continue Reading
Setting up SQL Server clusters on a SAN
Storage area networks (SANs) allow you to connect expandable storage to your SQL Server installations, but care must be taken when working with SQL Server clusters.Continue Reading
SQL Server encryption vs. hashing for data security
Choose carefully between encryption and hashing algorithms in SQL Server 2005 because not all methods fit all data security purposes.Continue Reading
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
Configure aliases for SQL Server databases and servers
Aliased names can save you from changing your code and configuration files when you need to point your application to another server or move the location of database objects. In this tip, you'll find options and strategies for aliasing database ...Continue Reading
Creating SQL Server columns: A best practices guide
When creating SQL Server columns, improve database performance by following these best practices for defining data types, keys and NULL configurations.Continue Reading
Creating SQL Server tables: A best practices guide
Tips for Creating SQLServer TablesContinue Reading
Best SQL Server indexing strategies
SQL Server supports only two index types for most data types: clustered and non-clustered. Learn how and why building the appropriate index type during your database design will significantly impact SQL Server performance.Continue Reading
Clustered and non-clustered indexes in SQL Server
Rules for using a clustered index vs. a non-clustered index are tough to decipher. In this tip, you'll see the fundamentals to consider when making your choice, along with some best practice techniques. Get an overview of tradeoffs and proper index ...Continue Reading
Working with schemas in SQL Server 2005
If you're managing too many databases with too many objects, it may be time to take advantage of SQL Server 2005's ANSI SQL feature: schemas.Continue Reading
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
SQL Server normalization rules you must follow
What does normalization have to do with SQL Server? Edgewood Solutions' Greg Robidoux says nothing; your RDBMS doesn’t care what normal forms you use for your data model. However, using normalization to establish a clean data model has its benefits.Continue Reading
Navigate SQL Server hierarchies using recursive common table expressions
Modeling a hierarchical chart for your company, such as an employee table, may seem simple -- but the simplest data structures are typically the most difficult to query. Learn how to use common table expressions to get around this problem.Continue Reading
Restoring a database from another SQL Server
Restoring a database from another SQL Server is simple -- matching up the logins and users again is not. Get the steps you need to restore one database from another in this tip.Continue Reading
How to send e-mail notifications when new records are added to a table
Serdar Yegulalp discusses how administrators can send e-mail notifications when there are updates for a particular table.Continue Reading
How to set up a QA box that closely simulates production
A workaround to SQL Server's 8,060-byte row length limit
There are several possible workarounds to the 8,060-byte row length limit, and most of them involve a re-thinking of the table design. Serdar Yegulalp explains.Continue Reading
Dynamically manipulating files using xp_cmdshell
Dynamically build and execute OS commands within an SQL script.Continue Reading
Determine the number of rows in a table without a table scan
SQL Server keeps the row count in sysindexes and it can be retrieved there. Here's how.Continue Reading
Display detailed index statistics
A stored procedure that allows you to obtain detailed DBCC SHOW_STATISTICS information on all indexes for a given table.Continue Reading
How to resolve "user or role already exists" errors
How to resolve this SQL Server error that results from restoring a database from another server without a master DB.Continue Reading
Copying a table across linked servers
This procedure will copy a table across linked servers, overwriting the destination table.Continue Reading
Comparing timestamps
testContinue Reading
Check the isolation level of any SPID
Check the isolation level of any SPID on your Microsoft SQL Server 2000.Continue Reading
Avoid cursors by using TABLE variables
You will find many ways to improve the performance of your T-SQL code if you make TABLE variables your friend.Continue Reading
An introduction to coding SQL-DMO
SQL-DMO basics help DBAs program administrative tasks for SQL Server.Continue Reading
In a SQL database, how do I delete from table A without deleting a matching row in table B?
TOP query with multiple columns
ISO/ANSI SQL and the GROUP BY clause
Joining derived tables
NULL columns in a LEFT OUTER JOIN
Counting days per month in a date range, part 1 of 2
Joining two many-to-many relationship tables
Extract surname from name column
ODBC IP connection troubleshooting
A tip on how to resolve MDAC and connection issues in SQL Server 7 & 2000.Continue Reading
Procedure to drop all user-created indexes of given table
A simple stored procedure that allows you to drop all user created index of a given table.Continue Reading