SQL Server Magazine March 2005

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Tips and Checklists
We've collected a set of best practices checklists that give you the tips you need to work with key SQL Server technologies and perform important tasks. Also learn how to sort IPs, shrink database files, and more!
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[Focus]

7 Steps to Database Change Control

Change control isn't just for developers; you can use it to manage your database schema as well. Just follow these 7 steps to get a handle on your database changes.

ADO.NET Checklist

Use this checklist to ensure that your ADO.NET applications are the best they can be.

CLR Checklist

Before you start using CLR extensions in SQL Server, you need to consider "why" and "how" in addition to "what" you need to do.

Help for the Harried

You’re overworked already. You know you could use some best practices to optimize your system, but who has the time to search them out? Answer: we do. Check out these tips from SQL Server experts and let them simplify your life.

Log Backup Checklist

Everything you need to know about log backups in one handy checklist. What could be easier?

Reporting Services Security

For better security on your reporting system, make sure to follow these steps.

T-SQL Checklist

Check out these best practices that can help your T-SQL code run smoothly and efficiently.




[Features]

Editing a Package with SQL Server 2005 Integration Services Designer

SQL Server 2005 Integration Services has new features that simplify package creation and editing. Walk through the package-modification process and see how you can effectively create new packages without reinventing the wheel.

Meet sp_who1

Sp_who and its cousin sp_who2 give DBAs crucial information about SQL Server user connections and processes, but they have limited filtering and block-finding capabilities. Welcome sp_who1, a new member of the sp_who family that tackles those limitations.




[SQL Server Savvy]

Performance Metrics in SQL Server Stop Working When You Stop SQL Server

A bug in SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 3 (SP3) causes you to lose Performance Monitor counters if System Monitor is running from the performance console when you stop SQL Server.

Tempdb Affects Query Performance During Autogrow

People often forget tempdb's effect on query performance. People also neglect to manually set tempdb to an adequate size.

Two Common Mistakes to Avoid When Handling Large Amounts of SQL Server Memory

Don't assume that AWE is working in SQL Server unless you verify that it's enabled and using the amount of memory you expect. Also, make sure that you set the max server memory option by using sp_configure.

Using SQL Server with Large Amounts of Memory

What's the best way to configure SQL Server to handle large amounts of memory, and how do I know when to use the /3GB switch?




[Editorial]

Those &@#$%^ Passwords!

Passwords are essential to security, but are they always safe? Maybe it's time to consider pass phrases for your system security plan.




[Inside SQL Server]

Shrinking Data Files

Shrinking a data file may seem straightforward compared with the intricacies of shrinking the log, but some of DBCC SHRINKFILE's hidden nuances can give you a serious performance hit.




[T-SQL Black Belt]

Sorting IP Addresses

You can find all sorts of solutions to this T-SQL problem, but the most intuitive might not be the best. You may have to step outside the box to see the pattern.




[New Products]

New Products, March 2005

Check out new and improved SQL Server-related products.




[SELECT TOP(X)]

Web Resources

Michael Otey's ten favorite SQL Server Web sites.




[Ask Microsoft]

Executing Queries on Remote Servers This article is only available to registered users.  Sign up now and get instant access!

Microsoft's Patrick Conlan explores two options for using object aliases in database applications to execute queries on remote servers.

Sp_helparticle Lists Publication Articles This article is only available to registered users.  Sign up now and get instant access!

Microsoft's Vaqar Pirzada explains how to use sp_helparticle to list all a publication's articles in transactional or snapshot replication setups.