Handling The Text Data Type
Robert is back this week with a look at the text data type. Not the easiest thing to work with, but sometimes a varchar just doesn't give you the range you need.
An Automated Solution for Migrating Database Structures
This article by Simon Galbraith (from Red Gate software, maker of SQL Compare) discusses migrating changes from development to staging, QA, and on to production. If you've never seen the need for a schema compare tool (Steve Jones!), this is worth reading.
Auto Close and Auto Shrink - Just Don't
New author! Mike Pearson discusses how auto close was at the root of a performance problem he was troubleshooting, how you can check your servers easily, and discusses why both auto close and auto shrink are bad ideas in a production environment.
Sneak peak at Log Navigator II
As LockwoodTech Log Navigator Beta releases approaches we have released a bunch of new screen shots on product features. Log Navigator reads the MS SQL Server Transaction Log to allow you to passively audit data changes (inserts, updates and deletes) made to your database.
Creating a Script from a Stored Procedure
Ryan demonstrates how he arrived at a solution that allows you to create scripts from a stored procedure using SQL-DMO. If you get interested in DMO, we've got quite a bit of additional content here on the site to help you get going! Ryan is a new author here on the site, please take a minute to read his article, add a comment, maybe just say hello.
New MDX Book Published
Fast Track to MDX gives readers all the necessary background information needed to write useful, powerful MDX expressions and introduces the most frequently used MDX functions and constructs. No prior knowledge is assumed and examples are used throughout the book to rapidly develop MDX skills to the point where a reader can solve real business problems. A CD containing examples from within the book, and a time-limited version of ProClarity, is included
Getting Certified
Brian spends a lot of time in our forums helping out. Based on a recent question from a reader he put together some tips he used when he was preparing for the MCSE exams. Interesting reading!
SecureWave's SecureStack 3.0 Release
SecureWave forwarded us this link to some info about their product - they claim to be the only product capable of protecting SQL Server from buffer overflow attacks. You can download a free eval from their site. We have not reviewed this product.
Using Query Analyzer Templates
Greg returns with an article based on some practical experience using QA templates to save time and work. Good examples, good work through, good idea!
System RAM Comparison
Another link from Steve Jones, this page has a great breakdown of the different types of RAM.
Blogs
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
EightKB 2026
EightKB is back again for 2026! The biggest online SQL Server internals conference is...
The FinOps Lifecycle: From Budgeting to Reporting
By HeyMo0sh
Working in DevOps long enough teaches you two universal truths: That’s exactly why I...
Forums
query to track time spent on individual tasks in SSIS
Hi everyone I am looking at building a query to determine how much time...
SQL Server Transactional Replication from Always On Availability Groups to Azure SQL Database
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server Transactional Replication from...
Hidden Heroes
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Hidden Heroes
Question of the Day
Identities and Sequences I
When thinking of the Identity property for auto incrementing columns and sequences for the same action, which are explicitly linked to increment a number in a table when a new row is added?
See possible answers