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 – 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.
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.
Conditional COUNT: ELSE 0 Counts Nonmatching Rows
Conditional COUNT includes zero when CASE returns it. I compare an omitted ELSE with a zero branch before aggregating. A no-match group and an empty input expose the difference from SUM.
SQL SERVER – Reclaim Space After Dropping Variable – Length Columns Using DBCC CLEANTABLE
DBCC CLEANTABLE can reclaim selected space left after dropping variable-length columns. I distinguish that table operation from shrinking a database file.
geometry STIsClosed and STIsSimple: Ask Both Questions
geometry STIsClosed does not establish simplicity. These three complete line descriptions compare endpoint closure with self-intersection.