November 2005 - Posts

Apologies for the banner

My blog has moved to sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons
The full version of this post can be found here., http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Apologies for the banner
The new RSS feed is here

You may have noticed the small banner above this and all my posts. Unfortunately this has been done by the owners of SQL Junkies and I have no control. I have tried to get round it however I believe I have no choice as they done it in an iframe.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Apologies for the banner

posted Wednesday, November 30, 2005 8:41 PM by SimonSabin with 0 Comments

SQL Server Fortnightly Briefings

My blog has moved to sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons
The full version of this post can be found here., http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/SQL Server Fortnightly Briefings
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Tony has started a new feature, fortnightly briefings via LiveMeeting.

These are intended as being an overview of whats happening in SQL Server land, I think its a great idea. Whats more is they are recorded and that allows you to what at maybe a more convenient time. You can also what in a shorter period by upping the speed in Windows Media Player, and the sound is perfectly audible. Sounds like Tony's been on the helium.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/SQL Server Fortnightly Briefings

posted Monday, November 28, 2005 10:29 AM by SimonSabin with 0 Comments

Free training in advanced query performance (almost)

There are a number of sites that offer free training or dedicated training however few offer the level of interaction you get at the UK Usergroup.

Itzik Ben-Gan is holding an advanced query performance http://www.sqlserverfaq.com/?eid=62. These events are very interactive sessions and speaking from experience well worth the money. It is rare to have an idividual of such stature available for such dedicate training. The events are designed to ensure you get as much as possible out, so make sure you go ready to learn.

Enjoy.

posted Monday, November 21, 2005 7:40 PM by SimonSabin with 1 Comments

A bloggers life

My blog has moved to sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons
The full version of this post can be found here., http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/A bloggers life
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Ken Henderson has posted here about his attempt to blog every day. I agree that blog content should be relevant and not just

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/A bloggers life

posted Saturday, November 19, 2005 9:01 PM by SimonSabin with 0 Comments

SQL Server 2005 Performance analysis whitepaper

My blog has moved to sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons
The full version of this post can be found here., http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/SQL Server 2005 Performance analysis whitepaper
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Scalability and performance are to area that some often t ink is a black art. Well it is definitely a skill to know how to identify and resolve. To assist anyone doing this the bods from the customer advisory team, customer support team and members of SQL Server Database engine team have written a Performance white paper to assist. Its full of great stuff.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/SQL Server 2005 Performance analysis whitepaper

posted Saturday, November 19, 2005 9:18 PM by SimonSabin with 0 Comments

when is varchar(max) not a varchar(max)

My blog has moved to sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons
The full version of this post can be found here., http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/when is varchar(max) not a varchar(max)
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I was looking into a question raised at the lauanch about the best way to pass large sets of values to sql. Currently the person is restricted by the 8000 character limit for a varchar in SQL 2000. A number of options where mentioned including bulk inserting, xml, a user defined type and a varchar(max).

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/when is varchar(max) not a varchar(max)

posted Friday, November 18, 2005 3:19 PM by SimonSabin with 7 Comments

base.google.com

There has been lots of speculation about the new google service. Well its now live

http://base.google.com

Upload all your stuff, recipes, products, reviews, jobs, you can even create your own type.

posted Wednesday, November 16, 2005 2:33 AM by SimonSabin with 0 Comments

Resuming database mirroring

My blog has moved to sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons
The full version of this post can be found here., http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Resuming database mirroring
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Another question raised at the chalk and talks was how does a database that is acting as a mirror become resynchronised if database mirroring is paused. For some background on this. You may want to pause mirroring to patch your mirror server, or do some other maintenance on the server.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Resuming database mirroring

posted Tuesday, November 15, 2005 5:17 PM by SimonSabin with 0 Comments

Database mirror state information

My blog has moved to sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons
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Over the next few weeks I will be following up on the questions that were asked at the chalk and talks which we didn't have answers for. The first question was one raised today about database mirroring.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Database mirror state information

posted Tuesday, November 15, 2005 5:05 PM by SimonSabin with 0 Comments

Undocumented conversion of binary variable to a string

My blog has moved to sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons
The full version of this post can be found here., http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Undocumented conversion of binary variable to a string
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There is an undocumented function in SQL Server for performing the conversion of a binary value into a string representation of the binary value i.e. 0x0233DAF to '0x0233DAF'. You can't just convert to a varchar because the varchar is just the characters representing the ascii values in the binary i.e

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Undocumented conversion of binary variable to a string

posted Saturday, November 12, 2005 6:06 PM by SimonSabin with 2 Comments

Job Schedules in SQL Server 2005

My blog has moved to sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons
The full version of this post can be found here., http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Job Schedules in SQL Server 2005
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For years now one aspect of SQL Server has bugged the hell out of me, but as time goes on some things you just accept.

Job Schedules, I have never understood why you have to create a new schedule for every job you create.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Job Schedules in SQL Server 2005

posted Friday, November 11, 2005 5:15 PM by SimonSabin with 1 Comments

Enabling Database Mirroring in SQL Server 2005

My blog has moved to sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons
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You need to turn on a trace flag to enable database mirroring in the RTM version of SQL server 2005. A list of trace flags is listed here

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms188396.aspx

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Enabling Database Mirroring in SQL Server 2005

posted Friday, November 11, 2005 12:03 PM by SimonSabin with 1 Comments

Most interactive demo at UK Launch

My blog has moved to sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons
The full version of this post can be found here., http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Most interactive demo at UK Launch
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Jonathan Greensted was presenting in the chalk and talks at the UK launch of Visual Studio 2005 and SQL 2005 on Tuesday. As someone heavily involved in software using the compact framework i.e. for mobiles and pocket Pcs, he was able to do a very cool demo.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Most interactive demo at UK Launch

posted Thursday, November 10, 2005 7:22 PM by SimonSabin with 0 Comments

Deleting/archiving data in SQL Server 2005

A delete can now use TOP i.e.

DELETE TOP (2000) FROM MyBigTableWHERE someCondition = true  ORDER BY Dateolumn ASC

Michael Campbell has blogged about removing data from a table in chunks http://sqladvice.com/blogs/repeatableread/archive/2005/09/20/12795.aspx. This can be simplified even further in SQL Server 2005 using the above.

This very is similar to my post http://www.sqljunkies.com/WebLog/simons/archive/2005/10/23/17204.aspx.

 

 
posted Thursday, November 10, 2005 7:12 PM by SimonSabin with 0 Comments