Microsoft released the SQL Server 2005 Driver for PHP CTP, a free PHP 5 extension to read and write SQL Server data. I include the install steps.
SQL SERVER – Explanation and Understanding NOT NULL Constraint
What a NOT NULL constraint does and two ways to add one: when the table is created, or after the table is created. My example covers both.
SQL SERVER – Three Rules to Use UNION
The three rules to use UNION from Ben Forta’s T-SQL book: two or more SELECT statements, the same columns in the same order, and compatible data types.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – SQL Server Surface Area Configuration Tool Examples and Explanation
SQL Server 2005 ships with risky features off. The Surface Area Configuration tool turns them on or off, and here is what replaced it later.
SQL SERVER – Pre-Code Review Tips – Tips For Enforcing Coding Standards
Pre-code review tips for DBAs: why I check stored procedures on our development server every day for coding standards, with a link to my full article.
SQL SERVER – T-SQL Script to Add Clustered Primary Key
A Jr. DBA asked me three times in one day how to create a clustered primary key, so I gave him this ALTER TABLE example. He never asked again.
SQL SERVER – UDF vs. Stored Procedures and Having vs. WHERE
My first article in SQL Server Magazine, October 2007, covered UDF vs. stored procedures and HAVING vs. WHERE. The article has moved, so its links are off.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – Sample Example of RANKING Functions – ROW_NUMBER, RANK, DENSE_RANK, NTILE
SQL Server 2005 has four ranking functions: ROW_NUMBER, RANK, DENSE_RANK and NTILE. I explain what each returns and show a sample example of all four.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – Connection Property of SQL Server Management Studio SSMS
How to change connection properties in SSMS as you connect, like using named pipes instead of TCP/IP, as I do for one of our servers. Screenshots show each step.
Why You Should Name Default Constraints
Name default constraints so deployments can find them reliably, and replace system-generated names through a reviewed migration.