SQL Server Magazine

Server 2008 Data Profiling

Learn how to use SQL Server 2008's Data Profiling task and Data Profile Viewer to examine and assess your data.

T-SQL 101, Lesson 5

Understand the differences between inner, outer, and cross joins before you use them in your queries.

Generate a Clickthrough Report using Visual Studio ReportViewer

See how you can set up a clickthrough report without using SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).

Who Can Do Backups?

CLR UDT Caveats

CLR UDTs aren't intended to turn SQL Server into a full-blown object-oriented database. Learn about the proper place of CLR UDTs and methods for overcoming common objections to using them.

Using Large CLR UDTs in SQL Server 2008

See how the VarBinaryComp UDT takes advantage of new support for large types to store,compress, and decompress up to 2GB of binary data.

Backup and Restore Fundamentals

Back up your SQL Server databases regularly to prevent lost data in the event of a disaster.

Security Logging with Service Broker

Create the message types, contracts, queues, and services for an event-logging solution, and use some simple ASP code to call a SQL Server stored procedure that places information in a security logging queue for automated processing.

T-SQL 101, Lesson 4

Thanks to the GROUP BY clause, you can write SELECT queries that produce detailed reports.

Sharpen Your Basic SQL Server Skills

Discover the difference between Windows Authentication Mode and Mixed Mode, and learn the names and uses of installed system databases.

T-SQL 101, Lesson 3

SELECT queries aren't just for retrieving data. You can also summarize that data by incorporating COUNT, MIN, MAX, AVG, and SUM functions into SELECT queries.

In Search of Duplicate Indexes on Your Tables

Heed this advice about how to identify duplicate or redundant indexes on the tables in your databases.

Creating Dimensions in SSAS Part 1

Learn how to build proper dimensions, add useful hierarchies that support user’s navigational needs, then perform the important step of adding attribute relationships to make your users' data analysis fast and easy.

Hack Your Database Before the Hackers Do

Fortify the security of your SQL Server environment by using an assortment of tools for locating servers, identifying security best practices, cracking passwords, and finding vulnerabilities.

Creating Dimensions in SSAS, Part 2

After you build the proper dimensions of a cube, you need to add attribute relationships to help the cube engine better process queries for faster data analysis.

Get Compliant with SQL Server 2005 Audit Logging

Help meet compliance goals by using SQL Trace, SQL Server Profiler, and C2 audit mode. View stored procedure examples that demonstrate audit logging with these features, and take a brief look at SQL Server 2008 auditing and third-party options.

Third-Party Audit-Logging Options

Third-party transaction-log analyzers and gateways can audit logs and process and filter SQL Server traffic. They can analyze backup logs and use listener agents to collect and process SQL Server traffic to filter out the good stuff.

Common Criteria Compliance

Common Criteria Compliance is an advanced configuration option available in SQL Server 2005 SP1 (SP2 is under review). Government, military, financial, and other entities with serious security needs may require its certification and implementation.

Alternative Backup Strategies

Learn about advanced SQL Server backup options.

T-SQL101, Lesson 2

Using a database named MyDB, a table named MyTable, and some dummy tables, you can learn how to create T-SQL queries that insert new data, update existing data, and delete old data.