Decimal Conversions in SQL Server Change Datatype Format
When performing simple calculations inside of SQL Server using decimals, you can observe what may seem as odd behavior with the resulting datatype. Instead of returning the desired decimal format SQL Server generates an entirely different decimal format. In this tip we will look at the issue and how to resolve this.
Use consistent SQL Server Naming Conventions
I find it rare that a company possesses established and well-documented naming conventions. Of those that exist, it is tough to find a case where they are followed consistently. Not having or following a naming convention can lead to much frustration and difficulty in writing code around your database entities. This is especially important when your team is large and/or spread out as well as when multiple people are responsible for creating objects and writing modules.
Renaming SQL Server Policy-Based Management Policies
I have created several policies using Policy-Based Management and need to rename some of them. I don’t see an option in the GUI to rename a Policy. In this tip we cover how this can be done.
Identify database features restricted to a specific edition of SQL Server 2008
One of the Junior SQL Server database administrators (DBA) in my company approached me yesterday with a dilemma. He wanted to know how he can identify whether a database uses any of the features that are restricted to a specific edition of SQL Server 2008. In this tip we will go through the steps a DBA needs to follow to identify a database which uses edition specific features.
Conditional report rendering based on render formats for SSRS Reports
Reporting Services is a commonly used functions in an enterprise and Report Manager is one of the most convenient ways to make reports accessible to the users. When using Report Manager, users can export reports to different formats like PDF, XLS and others. When reports are exported to other formats they also include all of the content from the report, but rendered to the format of the report output. There maybe scenarios where you would not want a particular part or component of report to appear in these other report formats. A practical example of this could be that you want to display images when the report is displayed in HTML, but not when the report is exported to a PDF format. In this tip we take a look at a new feature in Reporti
Performance Issue with large number of Virtual Log Files in SQL Server Transaction Log
SQL Server transaction log files have an internal structure called the Virtual Log File or VLF. When the number of VLFs grow out of control due to autogrowth the log can become fragmented and cause delay. In this tip we look at how to see how many VLFs exist as well as how this can be reduced to a more reasonable number.
Extended Protection available in SQL Server 2008 R2
In this world of ever-increasing and evolving computer exploitation, the company I work for is looking for additional methods to employ so that our applications and data are secure. We use Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) within the trusted domains, but use the Negotiate Security Support Provider for our web applications. A new method ships with SQL Server 2008 R2 called Extended Protection.
Keeping your SQL Server DDL Trigger Audit Table in Check
In our environment we use DDL Triggers both to audit the changes to our systems over time and to provide an easy recovery mechanism for mistakes. (You can read about the basis of our implementation in a previous tip, "DDL Triggers to Track All Database Changes.") The problem is that this audit table can grow quite large if left unchecked, and this can impact both DDL operations in general as well as your attempts to retrieve any useful information from the table after the fact.
August 2010 Tips - Recap
The August 2010 tips include the following: Analysis Services, Auditing and Compliance, Common Language Runtime (CLR), Database Administration, Database Development, DDL Trigger Functions, Indexing, Policy Based Management, Reporting Services, Security, SQL Server 2008 R2, SQL Server Agent, SQL Server Configurations, SQL Server Integration Services and SQL Server Management Studio.
Cannot make a role a member of itself error in SQL Server
I am attempting to nest roles in creating my database security model, but I'm getting an error when I use sp_addrolemember. The error is this: Msg 15413, Level 11, State 1, Procedure sp_addrolemember, Line 92 Cannot make a role a member of itself. I'm not making a role a member of itself, so I don't understand this error. In this tip we will look at what causes this error.
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