XML query retains selected markup and attributes. Distinguish an empty fragment from a missing document, and review the display type.
SUBSTRING Binary: Count Bytes Rather Than Characters
SUBSTRING binary offsets use byte units. Keep text slicing separate from encoded payload slicing and retain empty and missing cases.
SQL SERVER – Outer Join Not Allowed in Indexed Views
Why is OUTER JOIN not allowed in indexed views? A reader was confused by the white paper answer, so I explain it with an example and ask for yours.
SQLAuthority News – Exam 70-433 – MCTS – Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Development
I finally used my expiring Prometric voucher to take Exam 70-433, MCTS: SQL Server 2008 Database Development. Here is how it went at the test center.
SQL SERVER – Default Statistics on Column – Automatic Statistics on Column
Does a column need an index to have statistics? No. A quick demo shows automatic statistics on column data when AUTO_CREATE_STATISTICS is on.
Count Distinct Pairs: Keep the Columns Together
Count distinct pairs by keeping their columns together. A small T-SQL example shows why concatenated labels can collide. Choose whether incomplete pairs belong in the count.
SIGN: Classify Positive, Negative and Zero Values
SIGN describes which side of zero an amount occupies. Preserve the original quantity and distinguish a zero value from missing input.