SQL Server 2014 Management Studio has a new URL option on the backup screen. Here is how to use backup to URL to take a database backup to Azure Blob storage.
Finding Rows That Differ Between Two Tables With EXCEPT
Use EXCEPT to find differing rows in both directions, compare selected columns, handle NULLs, and distinguish changed keys from additions.
Unicode Lost: Finding Question Marks Left by varchar Conversion
Customer names turn into question marks, and an nvarchar column does not bring them back. Here is how it happens and how to repair it.
SQL SERVER – Fix Error – Package ‘Microsoft SQL Management Studio Package’ failed to load in SQL Server Management Studio
SSMS says Package ‘Microsoft SQL Management Studio Package’ failed to load? I list a few ways to fix it, from reinstalling .NET Framework to running as admin.
MySQL – Dynamic SQL with EXECUTE and PREPARE Statements
MySQL supports dynamic SQL with EXECUTE and PREPARE statements. Here is how to pass a table name as a parameter and return all rows from it.
SQL SERVER – Keeping MSDB System Database Lean and Fit – Notes from the Field #033
The MSDB database is one of the most ignored on any server. Tim shares his tricks to keep the MSDB system database lean, fit and at its best settings.
Change Fill Factor in SQL Server: SQL in Sixty Seconds #069
To change fill factor for an index, rebuild it with a new FILLFACTOR value. The tests here measure what 100, 80 and 50 do to page count, scan reads and page splits, and when a lower value is not worth the space.