3. Hot Articles
Reader to Reader: Summarize All the Constraints for a Table
Send your SQL Server code, comments, discoveries, and solutions to r2r@sqlmag.com.
The sp_showConstraints stored procedure is an alternative to using sp_helpconstraint when you need to find all the constraints for a table. Read this tip today at: http://www.sqlmag.com/Articles/ArticleID/93600/93600.html.
SELECT TOP(X): SQL Server 2005 System Databases
Get a better idea of how SQL Server 2005 works by looking behind the scenes at the six system databases that help it function. Read this article today and post your comments athttp://www.sqlmag.com/Articles/ArticleID/93730/93730.html.
IN A NUTSHELL: Who’s Administering SharePoint?
Kevin Kline wants to know how your organization is managing the explosive growth of Sharepoint. Read the blog and let Kevin know your opinion today at http://www.sqlmag.com/Blog/Index.cfm?action=BlogIndex&DepartmentID=965#94573.
In a Nutshell: New Book on Reporting Services
In this week’s blog, Kevin Kline recommends a new Reporting Services book that’s full of useful example code and case studies. Read this week’s entry and post your own thoughts today at http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/94179/sql_server_blog_94179.html.
Hot Threads:
4. Events and Resources
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Does your SQL Server deployment suffer from low utilization rates, sub-optimal availability, and management challenges? Learn to overcome these difficulties by deploying a single database utility that can help lower your cost of ownership by 70% and react to changes within 30 seconds. On-Demand Web Seminar.
Got information? Good! Now, can you use it? Get up to speed on database design and hierarchy, including columns and data types, creating databases, and using the Query Editor. Download your free copy today!
See the complete Windows IT Pro Network guide to Web and live events.
5. Featured White Paper
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Bonus: Register for any whitepaper from Windows IT Pro during December — you could win a Nintendo Wii! View the full whitepaper listing at http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers — and remember, the more you download, the better your chances of winning.
6. Reader Challenge
December Reader Challenge Solution: Improve T-SQL to Prevent Deadlocks
by Umachandar Jayachandran, challenge@sqlmag.com
Congratulations to John T. Keller, who won first prize of $100 for the best solution to the December Reader Challenge, "Improve T-SQL to Prevent Deadlocks" and to Bill Twomey who won second prize of $50. John is a database developer for Softek Solutions, and Bill is a SQL Server DBA for Database Solutions. You can read a recap of the problem and the solution to the December Reader Challenge at http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/94572/sql_server_94572.html.
January Reader Challenge: Converting a Hexadecimal String to a Varbinary Value
Now, test your SQL Server savvy in the January Reader Challenge, "Converting a Hexadecimal String to a Varbinary Value" (below). Submit your solution in an email message to challenge@sqlmag.com by December 21. Umachandar Jayachandran, a SQL Server Magazine technical editor, will evaluate the responses. We'll announce the winner in an upcoming SQL Server Magazine UPDATE. The first-place winner will receive $100, and the second-place winner will receive $50.
Here's the challenge:
Bart is a DBA who maintains several data warehouses, which are hosted on SQL Server 2000. One data warehouse has a table called ExtFeeds that periodically receives data as flat files loaded from an external source. One of the columns in the flat file has a hexadecimal string value, ranging from 4 to 32 bytes, which is stored in the ExtFeeds table's DataHdr column. The external source can't be modified easily, and other applications rely on the DataHdr values to be strings, so Bart can't manipulate the value or convert to binary data. Instead he loads the files directly into the table by using the bcp utility.
However, Bart needs to periodically write queries against the ExtFeeds table that involve accessing the DataHdr column. The queries perform various operations such as converting the hexadecimal string value to varbinary and joining the ExtFeeds table with other tables. Help Bart design a solution that helps convert the hexadecimal strings to varbinary values. He would need to perform the conversion in the SELECT list of queries, in the logic in stored procedures, and in INSERT and UPDATE statements. The solution should be able to support values ranging from 4 to 32 bytes and perform efficiently.
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6. Announcements
Holiday Offer—Save $40 on SQL Server Magazine
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Make Your Mark on the IT Community!
Nominate yourself or a peer to become an "IT Pro of the Month." This is your chance to get the recognition you deserve! Winners will receive more than $600 in IT resources and be featured in Windows IT Pro magazine and the TechNet Flash email newsletter. It's easy to enter—accepting January nominations now for a limited time! Submit your nomination today: http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/itpromonth.
7. Web Community
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