This CHAR, VARCHAR, NVARCHAR and VARCHAR(MAX) Quiz stores the text abc in three columns and asks how many bytes each one uses. The answer is 10, 3 and 6. A tested script proves it and shows the trailing space trap, the question mark problem and the 8,000 byte limit.
Collation Sensitivity Quiz: Does ‘jose’ Match ‘José’?
This Collation Sensitivity Quiz asks whether jose matches JOSE and José in a case-insensitive, accent-sensitive database. The answer is JOSE yes, José no. A tested script compares three collations and shows the width and kana settings too.
LIKE Character Ranges: [a-f], [^0-9] and Collation Traps
A bracket range sounds simple until the collation decides what sits between a and f. Test it once so a bad code never reaches your table.
Parameter Types From .NET: Stopping Implicit Conversions at the Source
Match parameter types from .NET to SQL Server columns, avoid implicit conversions, and inspect cached plans for mismatched strings.
Rows That Look Identical but Are Not: Finding Hidden Characters
Expose hidden characters with DATALENGTH and UNICODE, clean known whitespace safely, and add a constraint to prevent recurrence.
Multi-Language Text: A Table Design for Translations
Multi-language text separates product identity from translated names. This test setup checks requested, fallback, and base names, Unicode text, duplicate tags, missing rows, and a precise blank policy.