Filestream allows us to store and manage unstructured datain SQL Server more easily. Initially, the accounts of FILESTREAM assumed prodigious powers of concentration and cognition, and we mortals all recoiled numbly. However, it became clear that we were missing out on some extraordinarily useful functionality, so we asked Jacob Sebastian to come up with a simple and clear-cut account of the FILESTREAM feature in SQL Server 2008. You'll agree he has managed the feat superbly.… Read more
The FOR XML clause in SQL Server causes a lot of difficulty, mainly because it is rather poorly explained in Books-on-Line. We challenged Bob Sheldon to make it seem simple. Here is his sublime response. … Read more
The whole subject of the Three-Valued (also known as ternary, trivalent or 3VL) Logic of SQL tends to trip people up. This is hardly surprising in view of the fact that it involves an esoteric Polish mathematician and because it behaves differently in the DDL (Data Declaration Language) and the DML (Data Manipulation Language). In response to requests, Joe Celko comes to the rescue and makes it all seem simple.… Read more
When discussing the normalisation process, it is always the First Normal Form that causes the most grief and confusion. Anith Sen takes up the challenge to explain, in simple terms, exactly what the First Normal Form really is, and why it is so important for Database Design. Along the way, he dispels some of the myths that have grown up around 1NF.… Read more
What is an XML Schema, and why is it important? How did XSD develop from its precursors, DTD and XDR? What is XML capable of in the recent versions of SQL Server? Jacob Sebastian gives a succinct answer in this extract from his new book.… Read more
For everything you need to know, rather than want to know, about SQL Server Reporting Services, replication, backup, XML, performance, data warehousing and more..… Read more
Robert Sheldon continues his guide to Full-Text Indexing, by putting down his pen and reaching for SSMS for a practical workbench on Full-Text indexing. There is nothing like trying things out to make ideas click.… Read more
Microsoft has quietly been improving full-text indexing in SQL Server. It is time to take a good look at what it offers. Who better to give us that look than Robert Sheldon, in the first of a series.… Read more
With Performance Data Collector in SQL Server 2008, you can now store performance data from a number of SQL Servers in one central location. This data is collected by a collection set on each server and stored in a shareable management data warehouse (MDW). Reports can be generated from this data using the built-in reports or generating your own with reporting Services. Brad McGehee explains more. … Read more
Given the fundamental importance of indexes in databases, it always comes as a surprise how often the proper design of indexes is neglected. It often turns out that the programmer understands detail, but not the broad picture of what indexes do. Bob Sheldon comes to the rescue with a simple guide that serves either to remind or educate us all!… Read more
It is time to shed light on Data Warehousing and to explain how SSAS, SSRS and Business Intelligence fit into the puzzle. Who better to explain it all then Robert Sheldon.… Read more
Brad continues his helicopter-level view of the most interesting new features of SQL Server 2008 with a look at the new data types, their use and their significance.… Read more
Designers of database systems will often assume that the use of a clustered index is always the best approach. However the nonclustered Covering index will usually provide the optimum performance of a query. … Read more
Robyn Page and Phil Factor explore the innocent subject of Keys for their latest workbench. Everybody knows about keys. Oh yeah? Phil Factor ends up muting the immutable out of sheer devilry, and we learn how silly the British Secret Service were to tag James Bond with the code '007'… Read more
Too many authors in the field of relational theory have neglected the concept of Cardinal Reciprocity. This can cause a number of subtle problems with database design in terms of its derivability, redundancy, and consistency. . Increasingly, this little-understood aspect of relational theory, that emphasises the cardinality of the attributes of tuples in a relation and the reciprocity with isomorphic foreign key restraints, is becoming a hot forum topic.… Read more
SQL Service Broker, an asynchronous queuing and messaging system for SQL Server 2005, is set to change the way we design and run distributed applications. Adam Machanic once more makes it all seem so easy in Part 2 of his epic series... … Read more
SQL Service Broker, an asynchronous queuing and messaging system for SQL Server 2005, is set to change the way we design and run distributed applications. Adam Machanic makes it all seem so easy...… Read more
In this short article, Greg Larsen performance benchmarks alternative CLR-based and T-SQL stored procedure solutions for retrieving operating system file information. He also assesses other factors to be considered when choosing the correct implementation for your system, such as ease of development and maintenance.… Read more
The topic of cursors is the ultimate "hot potato" in the world of SQL Server. Everyone has a view on when they should and mainly should not be used. By example and testing Robyn Page proves that, when handled with care, cursors are not necessarily a "bad thing". This article coined a phrase, 'Quirky Update', that has since established itself as the industry-term. We now feature a new revised version of the old classic, with help from Phil Factor.… Read more
