To fix error 3637, find out why your backup runs on a dedicated administrator connection. This post reproduces the message with sqlcmd and its -A switch, shows the same backup working on a normal connection, and lists where a DAC hides in scripts and scheduled tasks.
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How to Extract Alphanumeric Only From A String? – Interview Question of the Week #214
A reader wanted only the values that mix letters and numbers from a column. Here is how to extract alphanumeric values from a string with simple pattern matching.
Eager Index Spool: When the Plan Builds Its Own Index
Investigate an eager index spool, read seek keys and output, and compare a supporting index with the cost of rebuilding temporary storage.
SQL SERVER – Upgrade Error – Cannot Drop the Assembly ‘ISSERVER’, Because it Does not Exist or You Do Not Have Permission
A reader asked how to fix Cannot drop the assembly ‘ISSERVER’ without another SQL Server to generate the script from. Here is a second way to fix this upgrade error.
Index Key Columns and Included Columns in SQL Server
Index key columns and included columns show what each index really stores. This post builds one query that lists them for every index, then a second query that finds indexes with the same keys or a shared leading key. It ends with the rules for merging them safely.
Running Several SQL Server Instances on One Machine
Budget several SQL Server instances on one Windows host, inventory services, assign memory and ports, and monitor shared resource pressure.
SQL SERVER – How to Invoke SSMS Help From Command Prompt?
A workshop attendee asked how to invoke SSMS help from Command Prompt. Here is how to open SSMS from the command line and list all of its parameters.
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