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Using the FOR XML Clause to Return Query Results as XML

by Robert Sheldon | 27 May 2009 |

19 comments |

The FOR XML clause in SQL Server causes a lot of difficulty, mainly because it is rather poorly explained in Books-on-Line. We challenged Bob Sheldon to make it seem simple. Here is his sublime response. Read more...

Introduction to XML Schema

by Jacob Sebastian | 07 May 2009 |

4 comments |

What is an XML Schema, and why is it important? How did XSD develop from its precursors, DTD and XDR? What is XML capable of in the recent versions of SQL Server? Jacob Sebastian gives a succinct answer in this extract from his new book. Read more...

Facts and Fallacies about First Normal Form

by Anith Sen | 07 May 2009 |

23 comments |

When discussing the normalisation process, it is always the First Normal Form that causes the most grief and confusion. Anith Sen takes up the challenge to explain, in simple terms, exactly what the First Normal Form really is, and why it is so important for... Read more...

Free eBook: SQL Server Crib-Sheet Compendium

by Chris Massey | 24 April 2009 |

1 comment |

For everything you need to know, rather than want to know, about SQL Server Reporting Services, replication, backup, XML, performance, data warehousing and more.. Read more...

Full-Text Indexing Workbench

by Robert Sheldon | 02 February 2009 |

3 comments |

Robert Sheldon continues his guide to Full-Text Indexing, by putting down his pen and reaching for SSMS for a practical workbench on Full-Text indexing. There is nothing like trying things out to make ideas click. Read more...

Understanding Full-Text Indexing in SQL Server

by Robert Sheldon | 29 December 2008 |

7 comments |

Microsoft has quietly been improving full-text indexing in SQL Server. It is time to take a good look at what it offers. Who better to give us that look than Robert Sheldon, in the first of a series. Read more...

SQL Server 2008: Performance Data Collector

by Brad McGehee | 29 December 2008 |

With Performance Data Collector in SQL Server 2008, you can now store performance data from a number of SQL Servers in one central location. This data is collected by a collection set on each server and stored in a shareable management data warehouse (MDW). Reports... Read more...

SQL Server Index Basics

by Robert Sheldon | 25 November 2008 |

25 comments |

Given the fundamental importance of indexes in databases, it always comes as a surprise how often the proper design of indexes is neglected. It often turns out that the programmer understands detail, but not the broad picture of what indexes do. Bob Sheldon comes to... Read more...

GIS and SQL Server 2008: Making Maps with your Data

by Susan Conway | 18 October 2008 |

10 comments |

When Microsoft introduced GIS into SQL Server with SQL Server 2008, it opened up a whole range of new applications that were previously impossible to do with SQL Server. So what sort of things can you do with GIS Data? We asked an expert! Read more...

SQL Server 2008: The New Data Types

by Brad McGehee | 11 October 2008 |

10 comments |

Brad continues his helicopter-level view of the most interesting new features of SQL Server 2008 with a look at the new data types, their use and their significance. Read more...

Using Covering Indexes to Improve Query Performance

by Joe Webb | 29 September 2008 |

6 comments |

Designers of database systems will often assume that the use of a clustered index is always the best approach. However the nonclustered Covering index will usually provide the optimum performance of a query. Read more...

Database Design Workbench - Keys

by Robyn Page and Phil Factor | 19 September 2008 |

6 comments |

Robyn Page and Phil Factor explore the innocent subject of Keys for their latest workbench. Everybody knows about keys. Oh yeah? Phil Factor ends up muting the immutable out of sheer devilry, and we learn how silly the British Secret Service were to tag James Bond... Read more...

SQL Server 2008- SSIS Data Profiling task

by Robert Sheldon | 10 September 2008 |

3 comments |

By using SQL Server 2008’s new Data Profiling task, you can do a lot to ensure that data being imported via SSIS is valid, and you can develop a system that can take the necessary steps to correct the commonest problems. Bob Sheldon shows you how to get started with it Read more...

Management Studio Improvements in SQL Server 2008

by Brad McGehee | 14 August 2008 |

40 comments |

Not everybody who had to use Management Studio when it first appeared in SQL Server 2005 liked it. The paint was still wet and there was still scaffolding around. To give Microsoft its' credit, it has succeeded in transforming it into a much more useful product, in... Read more...

SQL Server 2008 SSIS Cribsheet

by Robert Sheldon | 05 August 2008 |

10 comments |

SSIS has achieved several new and interesting features in SQL Server 2008. And who better to guide you through them and explain them but Robert Sheldon. Read more...

How to Track Down Deadlocks Using SQL Server 2005 Profiler

by Brad McGehee | 20 June 2008 |

21 comments |

It is irritating, sometimes alarming, for the user to be confronted by the 'deadlock message' when a deadlock happens. It can be a tiresome business to prevent them from occurring in applications. Fortunately, the profiler can be used to help DBAs identify how... Read more...

Service Broker Advanced Basics Workbench

by Adam Machanic | 15 October 2007 |

3 comments |

SQL Service Broker, an asynchronous queuing and messaging system for SQL Server 2005, is set to change the way we design and run distributed applications. Adam Machanic once more makes it all seem so easy in Part 2 of his epic series... Read more...

Service Broker Foundations Workbench

by Adam Machanic | 14 August 2007 |

17 comments |

SQL Service Broker, an asynchronous queuing and messaging system for SQL Server 2005, is set to change the way we design and run distributed applications. Adam Machanic makes it all seem so easy... Read more...

Reporting Services Cribsheet

by Robyn Page and Phil Factor | 07 August 2007 |

16 comments |

If you tend to just nod gravely and stay silent when SQL Server Reporting Services is mentioned, here is your opportunity to get up to speed with one of the more important technologies associated with ?SQL Server Read more...

Short Articles

by Regular Columnists | 27 April 2007 |

1 comment |

A collection of shorter articles by some of our regular Simple-Talk columnists, this week featuring Simon Sabin, Greg Larsen on CLR vs. T-SQL and Eric Brown on Dynamic management Views. Read more...

Choosing between CLR and T-SQL stored procedures: a simple benchmark

by Greg Larsen | 24 April 2007 |

2 comments |

In this short article, Greg Larsen performance benchmarks alternative CLR-based and T-SQL stored procedure solutions for retrieving operating system file information. He also assesses other factors to be considered when choosing the correct implementation for your... Read more...

SQL Server XML Cribsheet

by Robyn Page | 29 March 2007 |

24 comments |

If you're like me and find XML a bit of an acronym minefield, Robyn Page's Cribsheet will help sort out your XSLT from your XDM. Read more...

Beginning SQL Server Reporting Services Part 4

by Steve Joubert | 12 February 2007 |

40 comments |

The long-awaited final installment of Steve Joubert's popular 4-part "from the ground up" guide to SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services. Here, he dissects the Report Definition Language and provides a practical demonstration on the use of Report Builder, an ad-hoc... Read more...

Robyn Page's SQL Server Cursor Workbench

by Robyn Page | 24 January 2007 |

43 comments |

The topic of cursors is the ultimate "hot potato" in the world of SQL Server. Everyone has a view on when they should and mainly should not be used. By example and testing Robyn Page proves that, when handled with care, cursors are not necessarily a "bad thing". Read more...

Building my First SQL Server 2005 CLR

by Greg Larsen | 06 December 2006 |

15 comments |

Greg Larsen provides a step-by-step tour of the hurdles he had to jump in building and deploying his first serious CLR stored procedure. Read more...

Beginning SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services Part 3: The Chart Control

by Steve Joubert | 24 October 2006 |

34 comments |

Part 3 of the series takes us through the chart control and some of Steve's favourite features that ship with SSRS. Read more...

Robyn Page's SQL Server Data Validation Workbench

by Robyn Page | 23 October 2006 |

15 comments |

Robyn Page provides essential techniques for ensuring the validity of the data being entered into your SQL Server tables. Read more...

Beginning SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services Part 2

by Steve Joubert | 20 September 2006 |

98 comments |

Continuing his in-depth tour of SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services, Steve Joubert demonstrates the most common features and functions used to develop effective and dynamic reports. Read more...

Robyn Page's SQL Server String Manipulation Workbench

by Robyn Page | 19 September 2006 |

17 comments |

String searching and manipulation in SQL Server can be error-prone and tedious...unless you're armed with the techniques described in Robyn's string manipulation workbench... Read more...

Pop Rivett's SQL Server FAQ

by Pop Rivett | 18 September 2006 |

10 comments |

Pop Rivett dispenses pearls of SQL Server wisdom, this time tackling the setting of variables from dynamic SQL. Bah, humbug. Read more...

Beginning SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services Part 1

by Steve Joubert | 24 August 2006 |

190 comments |

Steve Joubert begins an in-depth tour of SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services with a step-by-step guide to building and deploying basic reports. Read more...

Robyn Page's SQL Server DATE/TIME Workbench

by Robyn Page | 16 August 2006 |

55 comments |

Date calculation and formatting in SQL Server can be surprisingly tricky. Robyn Page's "hands-on" workbench will lead you through the minefield. Read more...

SQL Server Full Text Search Language Features, Part 2

by Hilary Cotter | 04 July 2006 |

15 comments |

Extensive coverage of the query-time behaviour of SQL Server Full-text search, demonstrating how searches are expanded by the parser before hitting the full-text index. Read more...

SQL Server Full Text Search Language Features

by Hilary Cotter | 21 April 2006 |

44 comments |

SQL Full-text Search (SQL FTS) is an optional component of SQL Server 7 and later, which allows fast and efficient querying when you have large amounts of unstructured data. Read more...