The BOL script to defragment all indexes in a database above a declared threshold failed with Msg 2501. I fixed the missing schema prefix so it runs on SQL Server 2005.
SQL SERVER – Sharpen Your Basic SQL Server Skills – Learn the distinctions between unique constraint and primary key constraint and the easiest way to get random rows from a table
My March 2007 SQL Server Magazine article explains the distinctions between unique constraint and primary key constraint, and an easy way to get random rows.
SQL SERVER – How to Retrieve TOP and BOTTOM Rows Together using T-SQL
Need TOP 1 and BOTTOM 1 in one result? UNION fails with two ORDER BY clauses. Here is a simple T-SQL way to retrieve TOP and BOTTOM Rows together.
SQL SERVER – Transfer The Logins and The Passwords Between Instances of SQL Server 2005
How do you transfer the logins and passwords between instances of SQL Server 2005 after a hardware upgrade? I summarize Microsoft KB 918992 and its script.
SQL SERVER – Introduction to SQL Server Encryption and Symmetric Key Encryption Tutorial
SQL Server 2005 added encryption to protect data from hackers. My article introduces SQL Server encryption and walks through a symmetric key encryption tutorial.
SQL SERVER – Dynamic Case Statement – FIX : ERROR 156 : Incorrect syntax near the keyword
Using CASE in ORDER BY to switch between ASC and DESC gives Error 156: Incorrect syntax near the keyword. I show two ways to write a dynamic case that works.
Planning a Move Off an Old SQL Server Version
Plan a move off an old SQL Server version with a complete inventory, compatibility testing, a supported target, and a dated exit plan.
SQL SERVER – SELECT 1 vs SELECT * – An Interesting Observation
SELECT 1 vs SELECT * inside IF EXISTS: I ran 4 tests and both gave the same result and the same execution plan cost. Can you find a case where they differ?
Templates and Snippets in SSMS
Templates and snippets in SSMS turn repeated SQL patterns into editable starting points while keeping environment assumptions visible.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – Licensing Model Compared to Other Database Products
How does the SQL Server 2005 Licensing Model compare with other database products? I share a chart and table showing it is feature rich and far cheaper.