Reproduce a conversion error that survives a WHERE filter, inspect optimizer choices, and replace fragile casts with TRY_CONVERT or proper types.
SQL SERVER – Languages for BI – MDX, DMX, XMLA
A friend knew BI means Business Intelligence but asked which languages it uses. Quick definitions of MDX, DMX and XMLA, the languages of SQL Server BI.
SUM ROWS Versus RANGE: Ties Change a Running Total
SUM ROWS versus RANGE defines different running positions. Keep tie-breaking and peer grouping explicit when comparing the resulting totals.
CAST Without a Length: The Default Can Truncate Text
CAST Without a Length can silently choose a target width that is too short for the source text. I compare omitted and explicit lengths. The same conversion syntax can look harmless while losing the end of a string.
CROSS APPLY VALUES: Unpivot Fixed Columns and Preserve NULLs
CROSS APPLY VALUES can turn a fixed set of columns into rows without dropping their NULL values. I make any missing-value filter explicit. That keeps the reshaping step separate from the decision to exclude data.
SQL SERVER – SQL Server Management Studio New Features
The top 5 new features of SQL Server Management Studio 2008, the tool that replaced Enterprise Manager and Query Analyzer, with upgrades DBAs asked for.
A Health Check for an Inherited Server
A health check for an inherited server reviews backups, access, configuration, error logs, and jobs before anyone changes the system.