A random password procedure for SQL Server should use CRYPT_GEN_RANDOM, skip lookalike characters and guarantee every kind of character. This post builds one with a length and character switches, then tests 1,000 passwords. It also covers errors and safe handling.
SELECT COUNT Without FROM Returns 1, Not an Error
A SELECT COUNT without FROM does not fail in T-SQL. It returns 1, because the table name after COUNT(*) becomes a column alias. This post shows the typo, the other silent mistakes that work the same way, and the habits that make them fail loudly.
Recording Who Granted What With a Database Audit Specification
Current permissions never say who changed them. Set up a small audit, run a grant, a revoke and a failed attempt, and read the events back.
SQL SERVER – WMI Error 0x80041017 – Invalid Query Using WBEMTest
Helping on a forum, I asked a user to test WMI with WBEMTest and it returned error 0x80041017, Invalid query. Here are the test steps and how to fix the error.
SQL SERVER – Install Error – The Reporting Services Catalog Database File Exists. Select a Reporting Services files-only mode installation
A remote command-line install of SQL Server failed with: The Reporting Services catalog database file exists. Here is how I helped my client fix it.
SQL SERVER – FIX: Error 17836: Length Specified in Network Packet Payload Did Not Match Number of Bytes Read; the Connection has been Closed
One of my clients reported that they are seeing below error in SQL Server ERRORLOG. He noticed a strange error of the network packet.
How to Set ARITHABORT ON for .NET Applications
A query that runs fast in Management Studio and slow in a .NET application often runs under two different plans, because the two connections use different ARITHABORT settings. This post shows both plans in the plan cache, measures the cost, and explains how to set ARITHABORT ON for all connections through the server’s default connection options.