If you have ever dropped a database and found yourself not able to login because your default database no longer exists you know it can be quite annoying.  You can still connect through query analyzer by connecting to a different database, but you won't be able to do anything through the object explorer as it always defaults to your default ...

I needed to use xp_cmdshell recently and discovered that it isn't on by default on SQL Server 2005.  I had to dig a bit to find out how to enable it.  The code is very simple.  Figured I would blog it here so I can easily find it next time.   EXECUTE sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1 RECONFIGURE WITH ...

I recently needed to move the TempDB on my Sql Server so I looked in Books Online and my initial thought based on what it said was that there is no way that will work.  Basically it says to find where the files are, and then move them to the new location followed by an alter statement to point the database at the new location.  Well of ...

I have found the SQL Server 2005 templates to be extremely useful.  I have created custom templates for creating a new stored procedure, scalar functions, table-value functions and views.  The benefit of these is that it creates a standard for creating these SQL objects.  In my templates I have also included hooks to source ...

This is a template that I have been using in SQL server for when I do have to write cursors.  Notice that there is only one fetch statement in there which is much slicker than the typical method of initially doing a fetch, with a while condition of while (@@fetch_status <> 0) and then another fetch in the while loop.  This ...

This is probably the best explanation around on the different dynamic Sql approaches and the performance and benefits of each of them.  If you are using Sql Server 2005 basically you should be using sp_executesql due to how it can cache the query plan even with different parameters and it makes your dynamic Sql much cleaner.  ...

Just wanted to let everyone know here that I just put up a new website dedicated to SQL Server and .NET called SQLProgrammer.org. Currently on this website I have a list of Frequently Asked Questions, Links to external resources, and forums.

If you haven't had a chance to dig into the transaction log yet, allow me to get your feet wet. The following is a basic regurgitation of what I feel is important to know when dealing with the transaction log. Feel free to point out things that you feel I should have addressed and in my next rendition I will be sure to add them. If you think that ...

I was recently asked a few questions on how to do aggregate functions using Reporting Services (Reporting Services Documentation). While answering these questions I have had a chance to really dig into the report designer and am much more comfortable and excited about what you can do. I'm hoping to put some examples online that I have done on how ...

I've seen this asked a few dozen times so I thougth I would put a link here so that I remember where I put it. INF: Consideration for a Virus Scanner on a Computer That Is Running SQL Server