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.
ReorientObject: Swap a Geographic Ring’s Interior
ReorientObject swaps a geography polygon’s interior and exterior. Compare inside and outside witnesses, then reorient twice to restore membership.
OR in a JOIN: Preserve Matching Pairs When Rewriting
OR in a JOIN matches either key while returning each pair once. Compare NULL cases and pair counts before rewriting. Measure the actual plan only after proving the results.
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.
STPointOnSurface: Choose a Point Inside a Polygon
STPointOnSurface returns an interior point. Check a polygon with a hole, a simple polygon and an empty geometry without assuming exact coordinates.
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.