You can write to sparse column sets directly, not just read them. I show how to insert into column sets and the errors you hit without an explicit column list.
SQL SERVER – FIX – Property IsLocked is Not Available for Login
Opening sa login properties in SSMS failed with Property IsLocked is not available for Login. I used Profiler to find the query returning NULL, and here is the fix.
SQL SERVER – What are T-SQL Median? – Notes from the Field #090
SQL Server has no MEDIAN function. Kathi Kellenberger explains what a median is and how to calculate a T-SQL median in Notes from the Field #090.
Test Data That Looks Like Production
Test data that looks like production matches distributions, relationships, and volume without copying sensitive values into development.
SQL SERVER – FIX – Server principal ‘Login Name’ has granted one or more permission(s). Revoke the permission(s) before dropping the server principal
DROP LOGIN failed with Msg 15173 because the login had granted one or more permission(s) after an AlwaysOn cleanup. Here is how to find and revoke them.
SQL SERVER – Fix – Error: Msg 468, Level 16, State 9, Line 1
Msg 468 says SQL Server cannot resolve the collation conflict between two columns. I explain why it shows up, including with temp tables, and how to fix it.
PowerShell: How to Find Logical and Physical Processors on SQL Server?
With core based licensing, a DBA friend asked how to count cores. Here is a PowerShell script using WMI to find logical and physical processors on SQL Server.