COUNT_BIG helps me name the counting rule before reading the result. Compare rows, supplied values and distinct readings. Then check empty results and the bigint return type.
SQL SERVER – Frequency of SQL Server Reboot and Restart
How often should you do a SQL Server reboot? From my experience there is no need, though our network team reboots all our servers every 15 days.
FORMATMESSAGE: Build a Message Without Raising an Error
FORMATMESSAGE returns formatted text without raising an error. Match placeholders to typed arguments and keep formatting separate from control flow.
RIGHT: Zero Padding Can Remove Significant Digits
RIGHT can make zero padding look correct while quietly removing significant digits. I validate the allowed numeric range before creating a fixed-width label. The suffix expression alone cannot tell whether the input fits.
Doing Remote DBA Work Well
Remote DBA work succeeds with controlled access, current runbooks, agreed change windows, and communication that makes every action visible.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – Start Stop Restart SQL Server From Command Prompt
Start, stop or restart SQL Server from the command prompt with net start mssqlserver and net stop mssqlserver. A batch file can run both together.
SQL SERVER – UDF – User Defined Function – Get Number of Days in Month
A simple user defined function that returns the number of days in month for any date, with the leap year rule for February built in.
SQL SERVER – Correlated and Noncorrelated – SubQuery Introduction, Explanation and Example
What is the difference between correlated and noncorrelated subqueries? I explain both kinds with simple AdventureWorks examples.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – Introduction and Explanation to sqlcmd
An introduction to sqlcmd, the SQL Server 2005 command prompt utility that runs ad hoc T-SQL statements and scripts, and how it improves on isql and osql.
Testing a Cumulative Update Before Production
Testing a Cumulative Update means restoring real data, replaying key jobs, comparing plans and timings, and signing off before production.