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📄 Contents

  1. SQL Server Reference Guide
  2. Introduction
  3. SQL Server Reference Guide Overview
  4. Table of Contents
  5. Microsoft SQL Server Defined
  6. SQL Server Editions
  7. SQL Server Access
  8. Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
  9. Online Resources
  10. Microsoft SQL Server Features
  11. SQL Server Books Online
  12. Clustering Services
  13. Data Transformation Services (DTS) Overview
  14. Replication Services
  15. Database Mirroring
  16. Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  17. Analysis Services
  18. Microsot SQL Server Reporting Services
  19. XML Overview
  20. Notification Services for the DBA
  21. Full-Text Search
  22. SQL Server 2005 - Service Broker
  23. Using SQL Server as a Web Service
  24. SQL Server Encryption Options Overview
  25. SQL Server 2008 Overview
  26. SQL Server 2008 R2 Overview
  27. SQL Azure
  28. The Utility Control Point and Data Application Component, Part 1
  29. The Utility Control Point and Data Application Component, Part 2
  30. Microsoft SQL Server Administration
  31. The DBA Survival Guide: The 10 Minute SQL Server Overview
  32. Preparing (or Tuning) a Windows System for SQL Server, Part 1
  33. Preparing (or Tuning) a Windows System for SQL Server, Part 2
  34. Installing SQL Server
  35. Upgrading SQL Server
  36. SQL Server 2000 Management Tools
  37. SQL Server 2005 Management Tools
  38. SQL Server 2008 Management Tools
  39. SQL Azure Tools
  40. Automating Tasks with SQL Server Agent
  41. Run Operating System Commands in SQL Agent using PowerShell
  42. Automating Tasks Without SQL Server Agent
  43. Storage – SQL Server I/O
  44. Service Packs, Hotfixes and Cumulative Upgrades
  45. Tracking SQL Server Information with Error and Event Logs
  46. Change Management
  47. SQL Server Metadata, Part One
  48. SQL Server Meta-Data, Part Two
  49. Monitoring - SQL Server 2005 Dynamic Views and Functions
  50. Monitoring - Performance Monitor
  51. Unattended Performance Monitoring for SQL Server
  52. Monitoring - User-Defined Performance Counters
  53. Monitoring: SQL Server Activity Monitor
  54. SQL Server Instances
  55. DBCC Commands
  56. SQL Server and Mail
  57. Database Maintenance Checklist
  58. The Maintenance Wizard: SQL Server 2000 and Earlier
  59. The Maintenance Wizard: SQL Server 2005 (SP2) and Later
  60. The Web Assistant Wizard
  61. Creating Web Pages from SQL Server
  62. SQL Server Security
  63. Securing the SQL Server Platform, Part 1
  64. Securing the SQL Server Platform, Part 2
  65. SQL Server Security: Users and other Principals
  66. SQL Server Security – Roles
  67. SQL Server Security: Objects (Securables)
  68. Security: Using the Command Line
  69. SQL Server Security - Encrypting Connections
  70. SQL Server Security: Encrypting Data
  71. SQL Server Security Audit
  72. High Availability - SQL Server Clustering
  73. SQL Server Configuration, Part 1
  74. SQL Server Configuration, Part 2
  75. Database Configuration Options
  76. 32- vs 64-bit Computing for SQL Server
  77. SQL Server and Memory
  78. Performance Tuning: Introduction to Indexes
  79. Statistical Indexes
  80. Backup and Recovery
  81. Backup and Recovery Examples, Part One
  82. Backup and Recovery Examples, Part Two: Transferring Databases to Another System (Even Without Backups)
  83. SQL Profiler - Reverse Engineering An Application
  84. SQL Trace
  85. SQL Server Alerts
  86. Files and Filegroups
  87. Partitioning
  88. Full-Text Indexes
  89. Read-Only Data
  90. SQL Server Locks
  91. Monitoring Locking and Deadlocking
  92. Controlling Locks in SQL Server
  93. SQL Server Policy-Based Management, Part One
  94. SQL Server Policy-Based Management, Part Two
  95. SQL Server Policy-Based Management, Part Three
  96. Microsoft SQL Server Programming
  97. An Outline for Development
  98. Database
  99. Database Services
  100. Database Objects: Databases
  101. Database Objects: Tables
  102. Database Objects: Table Relationships
  103. Database Objects: Keys
  104. Database Objects: Constraints
  105. Database Objects: Data Types
  106. Database Objects: Views
  107. Database Objects: Stored Procedures
  108. Database Objects: Indexes
  109. Database Objects: User Defined Functions
  110. Database Objects: Triggers
  111. Database Design: Requirements, Entities, and Attributes
  112. Business Process Model Notation (BPMN) and the Data Professional
  113. Business Questions for Database Design, Part One
  114. Business Questions for Database Design, Part Two
  115. Database Design: Finalizing Requirements and Defining Relationships
  116. Database Design: Creating an Entity Relationship Diagram
  117. Database Design: The Logical ERD
  118. Database Design: Adjusting The Model
  119. Database Design: Normalizing the Model
  120. Creating The Physical Model
  121. Database Design: Changing Attributes to Columns
  122. Database Design: Creating The Physical Database
  123. Database Design Example: Curriculum Vitae
  124. NULLs
  125. The SQL Server Sample Databases
  126. The SQL Server Sample Databases: pubs
  127. The SQL Server Sample Databases: NorthWind
  128. The SQL Server Sample Databases: AdventureWorks
  129. The SQL Server Sample Databases: Adventureworks Derivatives
  130. UniversalDB: The Demo and Testing Database, Part 1
  131. UniversalDB: The Demo and Testing Database, Part 2
  132. UniversalDB: The Demo and Testing Database, Part 3
  133. UniversalDB: The Demo and Testing Database, Part 4
  134. Getting Started with Transact-SQL
  135. Transact-SQL: Data Definition Language (DDL) Basics
  136. Transact-SQL: Limiting Results
  137. Transact-SQL: More Operators
  138. Transact-SQL: Ordering and Aggregating Data
  139. Transact-SQL: Subqueries
  140. Transact-SQL: Joins
  141. Transact-SQL: Complex Joins - Building a View with Multiple JOINs
  142. Transact-SQL: Inserts, Updates, and Deletes
  143. An Introduction to the CLR in SQL Server 2005
  144. Design Elements Part 1: Programming Flow Overview, Code Format and Commenting your Code
  145. Design Elements Part 2: Controlling SQL's Scope
  146. Design Elements Part 3: Error Handling
  147. Design Elements Part 4: Variables
  148. Design Elements Part 5: Where Does The Code Live?
  149. Design Elements Part 6: Math Operators and Functions
  150. Design Elements Part 7: Statistical Functions
  151. Design Elements Part 8: Summarization Statistical Algorithms
  152. Design Elements Part 9:Representing Data with Statistical Algorithms
  153. Design Elements Part 10: Interpreting the Data—Regression
  154. Design Elements Part 11: String Manipulation
  155. Design Elements Part 12: Loops
  156. Design Elements Part 13: Recursion
  157. Design Elements Part 14: Arrays
  158. Design Elements Part 15: Event-Driven Programming Vs. Scheduled Processes
  159. Design Elements Part 16: Event-Driven Programming
  160. Design Elements Part 17: Program Flow
  161. Forming Queries Part 1: Design
  162. Forming Queries Part 2: Query Basics
  163. Forming Queries Part 3: Query Optimization
  164. Forming Queries Part 4: SET Options
  165. Forming Queries Part 5: Table Optimization Hints
  166. Using SQL Server Templates
  167. Transact-SQL Unit Testing
  168. Index Tuning Wizard
  169. Unicode and SQL Server
  170. SQL Server Development Tools
  171. The SQL Server Transact-SQL Debugger
  172. The Transact-SQL Debugger, Part 2
  173. Basic Troubleshooting for Transact-SQL Code
  174. An Introduction to Spatial Data in SQL Server 2008
  175. Performance Tuning
  176. Performance Tuning SQL Server: Tools and Processes
  177. Performance Tuning SQL Server: Tools Overview
  178. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Defining Components
  179. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Evaluation Part One
  180. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Evaluation Part Two
  181. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Interpretation
  182. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Developing an Action Plan
  183. Understanding SQL Server Query Plans
  184. Performance Tuning: Implementing Indexes
  185. Performance Monitoring Tools: Windows 2008 (and Higher) Server Utilities, Part 1
  186. Performance Monitoring Tools: Windows 2008 (and Higher) Server Utilities, Part 2
  187. Performance Monitoring Tools: Windows System Monitor
  188. Performance Monitoring Tools: Logging with System Monitor
  189. Performance Monitoring Tools: User Defined Counters
  190. General Transact-SQL (T-SQL) Performance Tuning, Part 1
  191. General Transact-SQL (T-SQL) Performance Tuning, Part 2
  192. General Transact-SQL (T-SQL) Performance Tuning, Part 3
  193. Performance Monitoring Tools: An Introduction to SQL Profiler
  194. Performance Tuning: Introduction to Indexes
  195. Performance Monitoring Tools: SQL Server 2000 Index Tuning Wizard
  196. Performance Monitoring Tools: SQL Server 2005 Database Tuning Advisor
  197. Performance Monitoring Tools: SQL Server Management Studio Reports
  198. Performance Monitoring Tools: SQL Server 2008 Activity Monitor
  199. The SQL Server 2008 Management Data Warehouse and Data Collector
  200. Performance Monitoring Tools: Evaluating Wait States with PowerShell and Excel
  201. Practical Applications
  202. Choosing the Back End
  203. The DBA's Toolbox, Part 1
  204. The DBA's Toolbox, Part 2
  205. Scripting Solutions for SQL Server
  206. Building a SQL Server Lab
  207. Using Graphics Files with SQL Server
  208. Enterprise Resource Planning
  209. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
  210. Building a Reporting Data Server
  211. Building a Database Documenter, Part 1
  212. Building a Database Documenter, Part 2
  213. Data Management Objects
  214. Data Management Objects: The Server Object
  215. Data Management Objects: Server Object Methods
  216. Data Management Objects: Collections and the Database Object
  217. Data Management Objects: Database Information
  218. Data Management Objects: Database Control
  219. Data Management Objects: Database Maintenance
  220. Data Management Objects: Logging the Process
  221. Data Management Objects: Running SQL Statements
  222. Data Management Objects: Multiple Row Returns
  223. Data Management Objects: Other Database Objects
  224. Data Management Objects: Security
  225. Data Management Objects: Scripting
  226. Powershell and SQL Server - Overview
  227. PowerShell and SQL Server - Objects and Providers
  228. Powershell and SQL Server - A Script Framework
  229. Powershell and SQL Server - Logging the Process
  230. Powershell and SQL Server - Reading a Control File
  231. Powershell and SQL Server - SQL Server Access
  232. Powershell and SQL Server - Web Pages from a SQL Query
  233. Powershell and SQL Server - Scrubbing the Event Logs
  234. SQL Server 2008 PowerShell Provider
  235. SQL Server I/O: Importing and Exporting Data
  236. SQL Server I/O: XML in Database Terms
  237. SQL Server I/O: Creating XML Output
  238. SQL Server I/O: Reading XML Documents
  239. SQL Server I/O: Using XML Control Mechanisms
  240. SQL Server I/O: Creating Hierarchies
  241. SQL Server I/O: Using HTTP with SQL Server XML
  242. SQL Server I/O: Using HTTP with SQL Server XML Templates
  243. SQL Server I/O: Remote Queries
  244. SQL Server I/O: Working with Text Files
  245. Using Microsoft SQL Server on Handheld Devices
  246. Front-Ends 101: Microsoft Access
  247. Comparing Two SQL Server Databases
  248. English Query - Part 1
  249. English Query - Part 2
  250. English Query - Part 3
  251. English Query - Part 4
  252. English Query - Part 5
  253. RSS Feeds from SQL Server
  254. Using SQL Server Agent to Monitor Backups
  255. Reporting Services - Creating a Maintenance Report
  256. SQL Server Chargeback Strategies, Part 1
  257. SQL Server Chargeback Strategies, Part 2
  258. SQL Server Replication Example
  259. Creating a Master Agent and Alert Server
  260. The SQL Server Central Management System: Definition
  261. The SQL Server Central Management System: Base Tables
  262. The SQL Server Central Management System: Execution of Server Information (Part 1)
  263. The SQL Server Central Management System: Execution of Server Information (Part 2)
  264. The SQL Server Central Management System: Collecting Performance Metrics
  265. The SQL Server Central Management System: Centralizing Agent Jobs, Events and Scripts
  266. The SQL Server Central Management System: Reporting the Data and Project Summary
  267. Time Tracking for SQL Server Operations
  268. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server
  269. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Model the System
  270. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Model the System, Continued
  271. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Decide on the Destination
  272. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Design the ETL
  273. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Design the ETL, Continued
  274. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Attach the Front End, Test, and Monitor
  275. Tracking SQL Server Timed Events, Part 1
  276. Tracking SQL Server Timed Events, Part 2
  277. Patterns and Practices for the Data Professional
  278. Managing Vendor Databases
  279. Consolidation Options
  280. Connecting to a SQL Azure Database from Microsoft Access
  281. SharePoint 2007 and SQL Server, Part One
  282. SharePoint 2007 and SQL Server, Part Two
  283. SharePoint 2007 and SQL Server, Part Three
  284. Querying Multiple Data Sources from a Single Location (Distributed Queries)
  285. Importing and Exporting Data for SQL Azure
  286. Working on Distributed Teams
  287. Professional Development
  288. Becoming a DBA
  289. Certification
  290. DBA Levels
  291. Becoming a Data Professional
  292. SQL Server Professional Development Plan, Part 1
  293. SQL Server Professional Development Plan, Part 2
  294. SQL Server Professional Development Plan, Part 3
  295. Evaluating Technical Options
  296. System Sizing
  297. Creating a Disaster Recovery Plan
  298. Anatomy of a Disaster (Response Plan)
  299. Database Troubleshooting
  300. Conducting an Effective Code Review
  301. Developing an Exit Strategy
  302. Data Retention Strategy
  303. Keeping Your DBA/Developer Job in Troubled Times
  304. The SQL Server Runbook
  305. Creating and Maintaining a SQL Server Configuration History, Part 1
  306. Creating and Maintaining a SQL Server Configuration History, Part 2
  307. Creating an Application Profile, Part 1
  308. Creating an Application Profile, Part 2
  309. How to Attend a Technical Conference
  310. Tips for Maximizing Your IT Budget This Year
  311. The Importance of Blue-Sky Planning
  312. Application Architecture Assessments
  313. Transact-SQL Code Reviews, Part One
  314. Transact-SQL Code Reviews, Part Two
  315. Cloud Computing (Distributed Computing) Paradigms
  316. NoSQL for the SQL Server Professional, Part One
  317. NoSQL for the SQL Server Professional, Part Two
  318. Object-Role Modeling (ORM) for the Database Professional
  319. Business Intelligence
  320. BI Explained
  321. Developing a Data Dictionary
  322. BI Security
  323. Gathering BI Requirements
  324. Source System Extracts and Transforms
  325. ETL Mechanisms
  326. Business Intelligence Landscapes
  327. Business Intelligence Layouts and the Build or Buy Decision
  328. A Single Version of the Truth
  329. The Operational Data Store (ODS)
  330. Data Marts – Combining and Transforming Data
  331. Designing Data Elements
  332. The Enterprise Data Warehouse — Aggregations and the Star Schema
  333. On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP)
  334. Data Mining
  335. Key Performance Indicators
  336. BI Presentation - Client Tools
  337. BI Presentation - Portals
  338. Implementing ETL - Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Integration Services
  339. Building a Business Intelligence Solution, Part 1
  340. Building a Business Intelligence Solution, Part 2
  341. Building a Business Intelligence Solution, Part 3
  342. Tips and Troubleshooting
  343. SQL Server and Microsoft Excel Integration
  344. Tips for the SQL Server Tools: SQL Server 2000
  345. Tips for the SQL Server Tools – SQL Server 2005
  346. Transaction Log Troubles
  347. SQL Server Connection Problems
  348. Orphaned Database Users
  349. Additional Resources
  350. Tools and Downloads
  351. Utilities (Free)
  352. Tool Review (Free): DBDesignerFork
  353. Aqua Data Studio
  354. Microsoft SQL Server Best Practices Analyzer
  355. Utilities (Cost)
  356. Quest Software's TOAD for SQL Server
  357. Quest Software's Spotlight on SQL Server
  358. SQL Server on Microsoft's Virtual PC
  359. Red Gate SQL Bundle
  360. Microsoft's Visio for Database Folks
  361. Quest Capacity Manager
  362. SQL Server Help
  363. Visual Studio Team Edition for Database Professionals
  364. Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator
  365. Aggregating Server Data from the MAPS Tool

If you’re looking for more up-to-date information on this topic, please visit our SQL Server article, podcast, and store pages.

This InformIT SQL Server Reference Guide intends to be your "one-stop shop" into the world of Microsoft’s SQL Server, providing you with the information you need to administer and program SQL Server. You’ll find hundreds of tutorials here on SQL Server, and we’re adding new SQL Server content every week, so make sure you check in often.

We also provide an easy way to find out when the guide is updated. If you're using an RSS reader, you can subscribe to these notifications here. We also have a blog you can subscribe to for even more up-to-date information.

The sections in this Guide are designed to allow quick access to what you need. The tutorials and overviews can be read in just a few minutes, and many contain useful scripts and hands-on guides to examples you can follow.

There’s so much here that you need a more than one navigation paradigm to find what you need. To begin, you can click the “Guide Contents” link in the left-hand top corner. That brings up a menu of the articles below the one you’re reading now. There’s another way to navigate the guide. You can use the “Search” box in the top right-hand side of the guide. There’s yet another way to get around, which you’re reading now. I’ll keep this section up to date each week, and add a description to each section so that you can quickly find what you want to read.

To help you navigate the Guide, let's take a look at a few of the sections you'll find here.

SQL Server Reference Guide Overview

You are here. This is a comprehensive “guide to the guide.” In this section you can read about each part of the guide to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Microsoft SQL Server Defined

This section describes Microsoft SQL Server and relational database engines. I compare SQL Server to other systems and show where it does well and where it doesn’t. I also describe the editions of SQL Server; having this information can make a big difference in licensing and hardware costs. If you’re new to SQL Server or databases in general, this is where you start

 

SQL Server Editions

 

SQL Server Access

Microsoft SQL Server Features

This section explains the feature set for SQL Server. Along with storing and retrieving data, SQL Server has a few other tricks up its sleeve. This section explains those tricks, for both the "newbie" and "guru" types. If you don’t know anything about the topic, I’ll sacrifice completeness for simplicity, and if you know a lot about it, I’ll use plenty of jargon and specifics to speed you along your way!

 

SQL Server Books Online

 

Clustering Services

 

Data Transformation Services (DTS) Overview

 

Replication Services

 

Database Mirroring

 

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

 

Analysis Services

 

Reporting Services

 

XML Overview

 

Notification Services for the DBA

 

Full-Text Search

 

SQL Server 2005 - Service Broker

 

SQL Server Web Services

 

SQL Server 2005 - Encryption

 

SQL Server 2008 Overview

Microsoft SQL Server Administration

From service packs to backups, this section covers everything the database administrator needs to do his or her job. If you’re a developer, there’s lots of good information in here for you as well.

 

DBA Survival Guide - 10 Minutes to SQL Server

 

Installing SQL Server

 

SQL Server 2000 Management Tools

 

SQL Server 2005 Management Tools

 

SQL Server 2008 Management Tools

 

Automating Tasks with SQL Server Agent

 

Storage - SQL Server I/O

 

Service Packs

 

Error Logs and Event Logging

 

Change Management

 

SQL Server Metadata, Part One

 

SQL Server Metadata, Part Two

 

Monitoring - SQL Server 2005 Dynamic Views and Functions

 

Monitoring - Performance Monitor

 

Unattended Performance Monitoring for SQL Server

 

Monitoring - User-Defined Performance Counters

 

Monitoring: SQL Server Activity Monitor

 

SQL Server Instances

 

DBCC Commands

 

SQL Server and Mail

 

Database Maintenance

 

The Maintenance Wizard

 

The Web Assistant Wizard

 

Creating Web Pages from SQL Server

 

SQL Server Security

 

Securing the Platform

 

SQL Server Security – Users (Principals)

 

SQL Server Security – Roles

 

SQL Server Security - Objects (Securables)

 

Security - Using The Command Line

 

SQL Server Security - Encrypting Connections

 

SQL Server Security - Encrypting Data

 

High Availability - SQL Server Clustering

 

SQL Server Configuration - Part 1

 

SQL Server Configuration - Part 2

 

Database Configuration Options

 

32-vs-64 Bit Computing for SQL Server

 

SQL Server and Memory

 

Performance Tuning: Introduction to Indexes

 

Statistical Indexes

 

Backup and Recovery

 

Backup and Recovery Examples, Part One

 

Backup and Recovery Examples, Part Two: Transferring Databases to Another System (even without backups)

 

SQL Profiler - Reverse Engineering An Application

 

SQL Trace

 

SQL Server Alerts

 

Files and Filegroups

 

Partitioning

 

Full-Text Indexes

 

Read-Only Data

 

SQL Server Locks

 

Monitoring Locking and Deadlocking

 

Controlling Locks in SQL Server

 

SQL Server Policy-Based Management, Part One

 

SQL Server Policy-Based Management, Part Two

 

SQL Server Policy-Based Management, Part Three

Microsoft SQL Server Programming

For those of you who are new to programming, this section explains the Transact-SQL programming language and methods for writing SQL Server applications.

 

An Outline for Development

 

Database

 

Database Services

 

Database Objects: Databases

 

Database Objects: Tables

 

Database Objects: Table Relationships

 

Database Objects: Keys

 

Database Objects: Constraints

 

Database Objects: Data Types

 

Database Objects: Views

 

Stored Database Objects: Stored Procedures

 

Database Objects: Indexes

 

Database Objects: User Defined Functions

 

Database Objects: Triggers

 

Database Design: Requirements, Entities, and Attributes

 

Database Design: Finalizing Requirements and Defining Relationships

 

Database Objects: Entity Relationship Diagrams

 

Database Design: The Logical ERD

 

Database Design: Adjusting the Model

 

Database Design: Normalizing the Model

 

Database Design: Creating the Physical Model

 

Database Design: Changing Attributes to Columns

 

Database Design: Creating the Physical Database

 

NULLs

 

The SQL Server Sample Databases

 

The SQL Server Sample Databases - pubs

 

The SQL Server Sample Databases - Northwind

 

The SQL Server Sample Databases - Adventureworks

 

Getting Started with Transact-SQL

 

Transact-SQL: Limiting Results

 

Transact-SQL: More Operators

 

Transact-SQL: Ordering and Aggregating Data

 

Transact-SQL: Subqueries

 

Transact-SQL: Joins

 

Transact-SQL: Complex Joins - Building a View with Multiple JOINs

 

Transact-SQL: Inserts, Updates and Deletes

 

An Introduction to the CLR in SQL Server 2005

 

Design Elements Part 1: Code Format and Comments

 

Design Elements Part 2: Controlling SQLs Scope

 

Design Elements Part 3: Error Handling

 

Design Elements Part 4: Variables

 

Design Elements Part 5: Where Does the Code Live?

 

Design Elements Part 6: Math Operators and Functions

 

Design Elements Part 7: Statistical Functions

 

Design Elements Part 8: Summarization Statistical Algorithms

 

Design Elements Part 9: Representing Data with Statistical Algorithms

 

Design Elements Part 10: Interpreting the Data - Regression

 

Design Elements Part 11: String Manipulation

 

Design Elements Part 12: Loops

 

Design Elements Part 13: Recursion

 

Design Elements Part 14: Arrays

 

Design Elements Part 15: Event-Driven Programming versus Scheduled Processes

 

Design Elements Part 16: Event-Driven Programming

 

Design Elements Part 17: Program Flow

 

Forming Queries Part 1: Design

 

Forming Queries Part 2: Query Basics

 

Forming Queries Part 3: Query Optimization

 

Forming Queries Part 4: SET Options

 

Forming Queries Part 5: Table Optmizer Hints

 

Using SQL Server Templates

 

Transact-SQL Unit Testing

 

Index Tuning Wizard

 

Unicode and SQL Server

 

SQL Server Development Tools

Performance Tuning

This section leads you down a systematic process for finding and fixing issues that slow down your installation. There's a lot of guidance on the web for tuning a server, but it's often not that simple. You need to understand how to follow the path through all your landscape to find the real causes of the slowdowns. I'll show you how.

 

Performance Tuning SQL Server - Tools and Processes

 

Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Defining Components

 

Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Evaluation Part One

 

Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Evaluation Part Two

 

Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Interpretation

 

Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Developing an Action Plan

 

Understanding SQL Server Query Plans

 

Performance Tuning - Implementing Indexes

 

Performance Monitoring Tools - Windows System Monitor

 

Performance Monitoring Tools - Logging with System Monitor

 

Performance Monitoring Tools - User Defined Counters

 

General Transact-SQL (T-SQL) Performance Tuning, Part 1

 

General Transact-SQL (T-SQL) Performance Tuning, Part 2

 

Performance Monitoring Tools - An Introduction to SQL Profiler

 

Performance Tuning: Introduction to Indexes

 

Performance Monitoring Tools - SQL Server 2000 Index Tuning Wizard

 

Performance Monitoring Tools - SQL Server 2005 Database Tuning Advisor

 

Performance Monitoring Tools - SQL Server Management Studio Reports

Practical Applications

So what do you do with this thing, anyway? There’s more to SQL Server than managing databases. In this section I’ll explain real-world applications for SQL Server, from scripting to disaster recovery.

 

Choosing the Back End

 

The DBAs Toolbox (Part 1)

 

The DBAs Toolbox (Part 2)

 

Scripting Solutions for SQL Server

 

Building a SQL Server Lab

 

Using Graphic Files with SQL Server

 

Enterprise Resource Planning

 

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

 

Building a Reporting Data Server

 

Building a Database Documenter - Part 1

 

Building a Database Documenter - Part 2

 

Data Management Objects

 

Data Management Objects: The Server Object

 

Data Management Objects: Server Object Methods

 

Data Management Objects: Collections and the Database Object

 

Data Management Objects: Database Information

 

Data Management Objects: Database Control

 

Data Management Objects: Database Maintenance

 

Data Management Objects: Logging the process

 

Data Management Objects: Running SQL Statements

 

Data Management Objects: Multiple Row Returns from a T-SQL Script File

 

Data Management Objects: Other Database Objects

 

Data Management Objects: Security

 

Data Management Objects: Scripting

 

Powershell and SQL Server - Overview

 

Powershell and SQL Server - Objects and Providers

 

Powershell and SQL Server - A Script Framework

 

Powershell and SQL Server - Logging the Process

 

Powershell and SQL Server - Reading a Control File

 

Powershell and SQL Server - SQL Server Access

 

Powershell and SQL Server - Web Pages from a SQL Query

 

Powershell and SQL Server - Scrubbing the Event Logs

 

SQL Server 2008 PowerShell Provider

 

SQL Server I/O: Importing and Exporting Data

 

SQL Server I/O: XML in Database Terms

 

SQL Server I/O: Creating XML Output

 

SQL Server I/O: Reading XML Documents

 

SQL Server I/O: Using XML Control Mechanisms

 

SQL Server I/O: Creating Hierarchies

 

SQL Server I/O: Using HTTP with SQL Server XML

 

SQL Server I/O: Using HTTP with SQL Server XML Templates

 

SQL Server I/O: Remote Queries

 

SQL Server I/O: Working with Text Files

 

Using Microsoft SQL Server on Handheld Devices

 

Front-Ends 101: Microsoft Access

 

Comparing Two SQL Server Databases

 

English Query - Part 1

 

English Query - Part 2

 

English Query - Part 3

 

English Query - Part 4

 

English Query - Part 5

 

RSS Feeds from SQL Server

 

Using SQL Server Agent to Monitor Backups

 

Reporting Services - Creating a Maintenance Report

 

SQL Server Chargeback Strategies, Part 1

 

SQL Server Chargeback Strategies, Part 2

 

SQL Server Replication Example

 

Creating a Master Agent and Alert Server

 

The SQL Server Central Management System: Definition

 

The SQL Server Central Management System: Base Tables

 

The SQL Server Central Management System: Execution of Server Information (Part 1)

 

The SQL Server Central Management System: Execution of Server Information (Part 2)

 

The SQL Server Central Management System: Collecting Performance Metrics

 

The SQL Server Central Management System: Centralizing Agent Jobs, Events and Scripts

  The SQL Server Central Management System: Reporting the Data and Project Summary

Professional Development

If you’re already familiar with the technical side of databases, you’ll soon be tapped to do more by your organization. This section helps you "round out" your technical education.

 

Becoming a DBA

 

Certification

 

DBA Levels

 

Becoming a Data Professional

 

System Sizing

 

Creating a Disaster Recovery Plan

 

Database Troubleshooting

 

Conducting an Effective Code Review

 

Developing an Exit Strategy

 

Data Retention Strategy

 

Keeping Your DBA/Developer Job in Troubled Times

 

The SQL Server Run Book

 

Creating and Maintaining a SQL Server Configuration History – Part 1

 

Creating and Maintaining a SQL Server Configuration History – Part 2

 

Creating an Application Profile, Part 1

 

Creating an Application Profile, Part 2

Business Intelligence

Business Intelligence is a huge endeavor that pays off big for the strategy in your company. In this section I’ll guide you from the concepts to the practical application of everything you need to create for your system.

 

BI Explained

 

BI Security

 

Gathering BI Requirements

 

Source System Extracts and Transforms

 

ETL Mechanisms

 

Business Intelligence Landscapes

 

Business Intelligence Layouts and the Build or Buy Decision

 

A Single Version of the Truth

 

The Operational Data Store (ODS)

 

Data Marts - Combining, Transforming Data

 

Designing Data Elements

 

The Enterprise Data Warehouse - Aggregations and the Star Schema

 

On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP)

 

Data Mining

 

Key Performance Indicators

 

BI Presentation - Client Tools

 

BI Presentation - Portals

 

Implementing ETL - Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Integration Services

 

Building a Business Intelligence Solution, Part 1

 

Building a Business Intelligence Solution, Part 2

 

Building a Business Intelligence Solution, Part 3

Tips and Troubleshooting

Lost a password? Need some help? This section has the Q and A.

 

SQL Server and Microsoft Excel Integration

 

Tips for the SQL Server Tools - SQL Server 2000

 

Tips for the SQL Server Tools - SQL Server 2005

 

Transaction Log Troubles

 

SQL Server Connection Problems

 

Orphaned Database Users

Tools and Downloads

Free, nearly free, and not free at all tools and scripts are located here. If you have an opinion on a tool, let me know and I’ll post your comments.

 

Utilities (Free)

 

Aqua Data Studio

 

Microsoft SQL Server Best Practices Analyzer

 

Utilities (Cost)

 

Quest - TOAD for SQL Server

 

Quest - Spotlight on SQL Server

 

Microsoft - Virtual PC 2004

 

Red Gate SQL Bundle

 

Microsofts Visio for Database Folks

 

Quest Capacity Manager

 

SQL Server Help

 

Visual Studio Team Edition for Database Professionals

 

Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator

InformIT Articles and Sample Chapters

SQL Server is used in conjunction with dozens of other programs and requires knowledge outside of the database world. There are several other Guides here at InformIT that you can use to learn even more.

Books and eBooks

The Database section of the InformIT store is home to hundreds of books, eBooks, and DVDs covering numerous database platforms including, of course, SQL Server.

If you haven’t checked out Safari yet, you just have to. It’s got loads of electronic books that you can subscribe to – many are specific to database topics.

Online Resources

For SQL Server, there is no better reference than the Microsoft Technical Network.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020