Collation Explanation and Translation, part 2: one query on sys.fn_helpcollations() lists all 1011 collations in SQL Server 2005 with a description of each.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – Use ALTER DATABASE MODIFY NAME Instead of sp_renameDB to rename
sp_renameDB will be deprecated, so use ALTER DATABASE MODIFY NAME to rename a database in SQL Server 2005. A short script shows the new syntax.
SQL SERVER – Validate Field For DATE datatype using function ISDATE()
A CSV import crashed on the date 30/2/2007. Use the ISDATE() function to validate a VARCHAR column in a staging table before moving rows to a DATETIME field.
SQLAuthority News – SQL Blog SQLAuthority.com Comment by Mr. Ben Forta
Ben Forta, author of Sams Teach Yourself SQL Server T-SQL in 10 Minutes, wrote about SQLAuthority.com on his blog. Here is what he said and why it means a lot to me.
TRY_CONVERT Integer Validation: Check the Target Type
TRY_CONVERT integer validation starts with the destination type and a separate input policy. This example compares blank, signed, decimal and overflowing text without writing data.
Keeping an Inventory of Every SQL Server You Own
Build an Inventory of Every SQL Server you own, including hidden instances, owners, versions, recovery details, and a process to keep it current.
SQL SERVER – Count Duplicate Records – Rows
A simple query to count duplicate records in a table using GROUP BY, HAVING COUNT(*) and ORDER BY, with the most repeated values first. A video is included.