A simple Table Partitioning tutorial for SQL Server 2005 that shows, step by step, how to horizontally partition a database table across two filegroups.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – Introduction to Partitioning
A short introduction to partitioning in SQL Server 2005: very large tables and indexes are split into smaller parts by ranges, across filegroups, for performance.
Checking Every Database for Risky Settings
Find risky settings across every SQL Server database, including AUTO_SHRINK, AUTO_CLOSE, page verification, recovery model, and ownership.
SQL SERVER – Get a Row Per File of a Database as Stored in the Master Database
Each database has at least two files. This quick script on sys.master_files returns a row per file of a database, just as it is stored in master.
SQL SERVER – Introduction to Statistical Functions – VAR, STDEVP, STDEV, VARP
VAR, STDEVP, STDEV and VARP are statistical functions that also fit the aggregate function definition. A quick AdventureWorks example shows all four.
UNICODE: Supplementary Characters Depend on the Collation
UNICODE returns an integer for the first character, and supplementary-character support affects that integer. I make the collation explicit when interpreting those values. Otherwise the same visible input can produce a misleading comparison.
COALESCE Fallbacks: Empty Text Is Still a Supplied Value
COALESCE fallbacks keep empty text and spaces as supplied values. Apply an empty-value policy before choosing a display name.