Two convenient SQL Server 2008 features: inline assignment with DECLARE @idx INT = 0, and inline operations like SET @idx += 1. Fewer lines than before.
SQL SERVER – Find Space Used For Any Particular Table
Running out of drive space is a common reason SQL Server stops. sp_spaceused shows the Space Used by any table, with its row count and index size.
SQL SERVER – Deprecated DataType vardecimal
vardecimal, added in SQL Server 2005 SP2, saves space for zero and null values. It is deprecated in SQL Server 2008, where Row Compression covers more datatypes.
SQL SERVER – 2008 – Introduction to New Feature of Backup Compression
SQL Server 2008 adds Backup Compression. I back up AdventureWorks with and without compression, compare file sizes and show how to turn it on at server level.
Parameterized Queries From Application Code
Use parameterized queries from application code to prevent SQL injection, improve plan reuse, and avoid parameter length mistakes.
COLLATIONPROPERTY CodePage: Identify Text Encoding
COLLATIONPROPERTY CodePage reports varchar encoding metadata. Compare code pages 1252 and 65001 without confusing inspection with text conversion.
DATEPART Quarter: Keep the Year Beside the Quarter
DATEPART quarter identifies a calendar component. I keep its year when reporting separate periods. A cross-year January case shows how quarter-only grouping combines events.