Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:09:32 EDT
SQL Server trigger vs. stored procedure to receive data notification
Learn why using a SQL Server stored procedures vs. a trigger can be a preferred method to retrieve data notification from a database field.

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:56:20 EDT
SQL Server errors, failures and other problems fixed from the trenches
SQL Server expert Matthew Schroeder gets down into the trenches to help resolve your SQL Server issues. Whether it's a failed cluster installation, a long-running stored procedure that causes a 3 a.m. phone call or a database in suspect mode, he's got you covered with this handbook for DBAs on the SQL Server frontline.

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:39:03 EDT
Basics for working with DATETIME and SMALLDATETIME in SQL Server 2005
Understanding date/time data types in SQL Server can be difficult, especially when you add TIMESTAMP into the mix. In this tip, you'll learn how data is stored within DATETIME and SMALLDATETIME and get an overview of the TIMESTAMP data type -- as it's often confused with these two primary date/time data types.

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:19:04 EDT
SQL Server consolidation: Why it's an optimization technique
SQL Server consolidation -- a.k.a., the fix for SQL Server sprawl -- offers ease of management, improved availability and lower licensing costs. In this tip, SQL Server expert Denny Cherry outlines what to expect when consolidating SQL Servers. These include CPU- and CAL-based licensing issues, hardware resources, system monitoring and the consolidation 'gotchas.'

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:13:42 EDT
Temporary tables in SQL Server vs. table variables
Once you've written your T-SQL code, it's time to execute it. You'll most likely need a table in which to store data temporarily. SQL Server database architect Denny Cherry explains your four options while offering the pros and cons of using temporary tables vs. table variables in SQL Server.

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:22:08 EDT
SQL Server database design disasters: How it all starts
Many businesses are running SQL Server databases in deplorable conditions. SQL Server architect Brian Walker explains how there's a snowball affect leading to these poorly performing databases and often starts with seemingly innocent Access database migrations. He also points out how a DBA's responsibilities have become murky. This is part 2 in this series from Walker who was inspired by what he recently found in some SQL Server shops. Ultimately, he shares advice for improved database design -- and SQL Server performance.

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:49:00 EDT
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 what are the performance impacts of this growth. In this tip, SQL Server expert Michelle Gutzait examines what really happens when a database file grows as the result of a transaction. Take a look at these test results involving autogrowth and see if the shrink database task is really necessary.

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:38:57 EDT
Enforcing data integrity in a SQL Server database
Find out how primary keys, foreign keys and constraints can keep your SQL Server data consistent in this excerpt from "A Developer's Guide to Data Modeling for SQL Server, Covering SQL Server 2005 and 2008" by Eric Johnson and Joshua Jones.

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:44:16 EDT
Parent-child dimensions in SQL Server 2005 with Analysis Services MDX
Retrieving a hierarchy with recursive relationships in SQL can get difficult to manage -- very quickly. Learn how to easily implement this type of relationship with a parent-child dimension using Microsoft's Analysis Services MDX.

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:22:39 EDT
SQL Server memory configurations for procedure cache and buffer cache
To determine how much memory your SQL Server database uses for buffer cache and procedure cache, factor in the SQL version you're using, whether it's x86, x64 or Itanium and the amount of memory allocated to the SQL Server instance. SQL Server expert Denny Cherry lays out how the system configures memory and how to allocate the amount of buffer and procedure cache that's available.