sqlsquirrel

Today I am going to share with you what I think is important to think about when upgrading to SQL Server 2005. I have done many successful upgrades from SQL Server 2000 and I have put together a checklist of things to consider when doing your implementation. The items in [...]

Welcome back!
I hope you found my how to import XML into SQL Server 2005 helpful. Today I thought we would take a step further and turn that imported XML file into a relational format\table. In my previous post you created a table via T-SQL taht contais a field called xml_data with a data [...]

Hello again…
Today I wanted to share how to import a XML file into SQL Server 2005. There are different ways to import a XML file either through T-SQL, SSIS, VB Script, etc. I have found the easiest method for just getting and XML file into SQL Server 2005 is to use T-SQL.
I found [...]

Today I was looking for a “better way” to rebuild indexes in SQL Server 2005 and to minimize blocking\contention in the database. As I was looking through BOL I came across the ALTER INDEX statement. If you want to rebuild all indexes on a specified table you can run the following code:
ALTER INDEX [...]

Today I was searching the internet for an easier way to see if a file exists. As I was searching I came across several undocumented SQL Server 2005 procedures. They are:

xp_fileexist
sp_MSforeachdb
sp_msforeachtable
sp_msdependencies

Now knowing that these undocumented extended and stored procedures exist, they will definitely make my job a lot easier. The source that [...]

Welcome back…
Today I am going to give the answers to the interview questions that I received regarding SQL Server 2005.
Question 1
What are the different versions (editions) in SQL Server 2005
Answer
SQL Server Express Edition, Workgroup Edition, Standard Edition, Enterprise Edition
Question2
What is the difference between RAID 0 + 1 and RAID 1 + 0
Answer
Here the argument [...]

Hi again…
I wanted to share with you my latest experience in interviewing for a Senior SQL Server Production (no development) DBA position in Southern California. As we all have come to learn that the “typical” process is a phone interview and then if they like you they invite you for an in person interview. Typically [...]

The other day I came across a job posting that read “Principal SQL Server DBA” and thought perhaps I read that wrong.  So it got my curiosity going and I thought I would check it out.  As I read the description what came to mind was …. this company is looking for a “very senior” [...]

Today I was working with SQL Server 2005 SSAS (SQL Server Analysis Services) and I needed to look into the server to see if there were any issues. My users were telling me that the pivot tables in their Excel spreadsheets were taking longer than usual. Microsoft does not allow you to run [...]

Well I have decided like many DBAs to get my MCDBA 2000. I have started to study for the 70-228 exam and I have come across study guides with some sample questions. I thought I would share some of the questions with you to see if you can answer them as well. [...]