Use error handling with TRY…CATCH, XACT_STATE, explicit rollback, and THROW, while recognizing errors that escape the current scope.
SQL SERVER – FIX: Msg 3102, Level 16, State 1 – RESTORE cannot process database ‘Name’ because it is in use by this session
Msg 3102 says RESTORE cannot process the database because it is in use by this session. The fix is simple: switch to master before you restore.
SQL SERVER – FIX – Error 3702, Level 16, State 3 – Cannot Drop Database “DB_Name” Because it is Currently in Use
Error 3702 says you cannot drop the database because it is currently in use, and even speakers get stuck on it. Here are simple ways to get past it.
SQL SERVER – Basic Statistics Maintenance – Notes from the Field #083
Statistics help the SQL Server engine pick an optimal plan. This Notes from the Field episode covers the basics of statistics maintenance every DBA should know.
SQL SERVER – Finding Out Identity Column Without Using Column Name
Did you know SELECT $identity finds the identity column without using column name? Here is how it works, and how to check if a table has one.
SQL SERVER – Errors and Limitations of Working with SPARSE Columns in SQL Server
What is the catch with SPARSE columns? After a question at SQLBangalore UG, here are the errors and limitations of working with SPARSE columns.
SQL SERVER – Restore Error: Specified cast is not valid (SqlManagerUI)
Restoring a SQL Server 2008 R2 backup failed with Specified cast is not valid (SqlManagerUI). Here is what we found after a few emails and screenshots.