The RDL Specification describes Report Definition Language, the XML schema behind SQL Server reports. I list the 2000, 2005 and 2008 versions.
SQL SERVER – 2005 2008 – Backup, Integrity Check and Index Optimization By Ola Hallengren
Ola Hallengren’s free scripts for backup, integrity check and index optimization in SQL Server 2005 and 2008, with notes from Ola on how they work.
SQL SERVER – Execution Plan and Results of Aggregate Concatenation Queries Depend Upon Expression Location
Aggregate concatenation queries can return different results depending on where the expression sits. A simple script based on a note I found on Ward Pond’s blog.
SQL SERVER – Plan Caching and Schema Change – An Interesting Observation
What counts as a schema change for plan caching? More than table structure: adding or dropping an index also qualifies, per Greg Low’s white paper.
SQL SERVER – Importance of Database Schemas in SQL Server
Why database schemas matter since SQL Server 2005: a schema is now a container separate from the user who created the objects inside it.
Handing Over a Database to Another Team
Handing over a database should include a current map, tested recovery path, access transfer, open risks, and a defined support period.
Finding Column Definitions Without the Documentation
Find column definitions in SQL Server with sys.columns, sys.types, and sys.all_columns, including length, nullability, and system objects.