SUM ROWS versus RANGE defines different running positions. Keep tie-breaking and peer grouping explicit when comparing the resulting totals.
CAST Without a Length: The Default Can Truncate Text
CAST Without a Length can silently choose a target width that is too short for the source text. I compare omitted and explicit lengths. The same conversion syntax can look harmless while losing the end of a string.
CROSS APPLY VALUES: Unpivot Fixed Columns and Preserve NULLs
CROSS APPLY VALUES can turn a fixed set of columns into rows without dropping their NULL values. I make any missing-value filter explicit. That keeps the reshaping step separate from the decision to exclude data.
SQLAuthority News – MVP Award Renewed
Microsoft has renewed my SQL Server MVP award for another year. A short note of thanks to everyone who helped make this proud moment possible.
SQL SERVER – Difference between Line Feed (\n) and Carriage Return (\r) – T-SQL New Line Char
What is the difference between Line Feed (\n) and Carriage Return (\r)? Why Windows, Mac and Unix read a new line differently, and what it means in T-SQL.
SQL SERVER – 2008 – Policy-Based Management – Create, Evaluate and Fix Policies
An introduction to Policy-Based Management in SQL Server 2008: facets, conditions, policies, and how to create, evaluate and fix non-complying policies.
SQL SERVER – Maximum Number of Index per Table
My TechEd on Road Ahmedabad recap, with 200+ attendees and a quiz, along with a look at the maximum number of index per table in SQL Server.