SQL Server 2000, 2005 and 2008 have no TRIM() function, but LTRIM and RTRIM together do the job. Here is a simple UDF that trims both sides at once.
SUBSTRING Boundaries: Start at Zero, One or Beyond
SUBSTRING boundaries distinguish start zero, start one and positions past the end. Read empty strings, shortened counts and typed NULL results.
SWITCHOFFSET Versus TODATETIMEOFFSET: Two Offset Operations
SWITCHOFFSET versus TODATETIMEOFFSET depends on the input contract. Preserve a known instant or attach an offset to a genuinely local clock.
SQLAuthority News – Author Visit – SQL Hour at Patni Computer Systems
Our user group’s first SQL Hour at Patni Computer Systems, Gandhinagar: Jacob Sebastian on Query Optimization Basics and my session Know your SQL.
Renaming or Disabling the sa Login
Renaming or disabling the sa login requires a dependency inventory, tested alternate admin access, and monitoring after the change.
STR: Check Width and Reduced Decimal Places
STR can reduce decimal places when its requested width cannot hold the complete fractional display. I inspect the complete text, including spaces and signs. A populated result does not guarantee that the number remains visible.
Patching an Availability Group in the Right Order
Patching an Availability Group safely means updating secondaries first, checking synchronization, failing over, and updating the old primary.