A change in date format shows up when you apply LEFT to GETDATE: the date goes from year first to month name first. This puzzle explains the implicit conversion behind it, how language settings change the text, and how to get the date you want on purpose.
SQL SERVER – How to INSERT or SELECT Copyright Special Characters in SSMS?
A reader asked how to insert or select copyright special characters in SSMS. The answer is ALT codes, like ALT + 0169 for the copyright sign, plus two more.
How to Find Missing SQL Server Configuration Manager? – Interview Question of the Week #089
Question: I just installed the latest version of SQL Server and now I am not able to find SQL Server Configuration Manager. What should I do?
Resource Bottlenecks in SQL Server: A Wait Stats Script That Groups Them
Resource bottlenecks hide in the wait statistics, under a pile of idle waits and totals since startup. This post builds a script that removes the idle waits, measures an interval and groups the rest by resource. It also explains how to read each group and the signal wait.
SQL SERVER – Case of Different Default Collation on Two Servers
My client saw a different default collation on two servers installed with SQL Server 2012. Here is what decides the default collation during setup.
SQL SERVER – Puzzle – Playing with Datetime with Customer Data
Playing with Datetime became a puzzle when one conversion worked for a customer but failed for me. The input was unchanged.
SQL SERVER – Edition Downgrade with Supported Migration Checks
To Downgrade SQL Server editions, I plan a supported migration or reinstall. I test the application on the destination edition first.