ACID stands for Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation and Durability, the four properties every reliable database needs. Each one explained in a line or two.
SQL SERVER – Generic Architecture Image
A Generic Architecture image of SQL Server I found on Wikipedia, with a short note on physical storage in MDF and LDF files and how data is grouped logically.
SQL SERVER – FIX : Error : 3702 Cannot drop database because it is currently in use.
Error 3702 says you cannot drop database because it is in use. Switch to master, find other connections and drop it safely with this fix.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – Dynamic Management Views (DMV) and Dynamic Management Functions (DMF)
Dynamic Management Views and Management Functions show what SQL Server is doing right now. The two scopes, the main categories and where to start.
SQL SERVER – UDF – Remove Duplicate Chars From String
A reader, Virendra Chauhan, shared a UDF that removes duplicate chars from one large string. Here is his REMOVE_DUPLICATE_INSTR function and how to call it.
SQLAuthority Author Visit – IT Outsourcing to India – Top 10 Reasons Companies Outsource
Notes from my meeting with outsourcing managers in Ahmedabad on IT outsourcing to India: quality of products, quality of developers and why companies outsource.
SQL SERVER – Grouping JOIN Clauses In SQL
Ben Nadel wrote a good article on grouping JOIN clauses in SQL, a powerful trick for mixed table relationship rules. The comments are worth a read too.
SQL SERVER – Q and A with Database Administrators
My Q and A with Database Administrators from interviews in India: the technical questions we discussed and my opinion on each, with a link to the full article.
SQL SERVER – Sharpen Your Skills: Brush up on FILLFACTOR, ISNULL, NULLIF, and % as wildcard and operator
My article in SQL Server Magazine December 2007 helps you brush up on FILLFACTOR, ISNULL, NULLIF and % as a wildcard and operator. The link has since moved.
Finding the Right System View for the Question You Have
Choose SQL Server system views by the question they answer, distinguish catalog metadata from runtime counters, and understand reset boundaries.