SQL DB Pros

Author: Phil Steffek

  • Computed Column With A Date: Computed column cannot be persisted because the column is non-deterministic

    Here’s a fast one I just stumbled across.  Since, I’m pretty sure I’ve made this mistake before I thought I’d write it down in an effort to prevent myself from enduring another Groundhog Day moment.  (Yes!  I just managed another pop culture reference in an otherwise dry and lifeless technical blog post!  Stay tuned till […]

  • Version Control For Database Objects: Why Visual Studio and TFS are a killer combo

    Awhile, back I answered a LinkedIn question on version control for database objects.  After continuing to use Visual Studio for Database projects for an additional four years since the original question was asked, my answer remains the same.

  • SQL: Create Schema If Not Exists

    When deploying code I try to create my scripts so they can be rerun without an error being thrown (e.g. “object already exists”).  There’s some fancy word for this that I used to try and use so as to appear ostentatious but it turns out people found me ostentatious even when I didn’t use the […]

  • SSIS Compare Variables And Change One With A Script Task

    This article falls into the half baked posts category.  Once I figured out how to compare two variables and then overwrite one with a script task in SQL Server Integration Services, I also realized I did not in fact need to perform the task.  Doh!  Still a useful bit of code though so I’m posting […]

  • SQL Server Management Studio: Recover Lost Files

    Nooooooooo!  Power outage+unsaved files SQL Server Management Studio files=Panic!!!  Wait a sec.  Don’t panic.  Every modern application, especially Microsoft apps, prompts you after a crash and asks you if you want to recover your lost files right?  Right!?!  Somehow, SSMS does NOT include this feature.  Why?  No idea.  Blame Management Studio’s stability.  It rarely shutsdown […]

  • Create A List In Your SSRS Tooltip: Not Impossible!

    Warning!  This post is barely finished.  I putting it up as a reminder to myself that I had a hard time finding a post explaining how to do it and I should write a post on it. “It’s impossible” they said.  “It can’t be done!” they claimed.  “You’re mad (but still surprisingly handsome!)” the women […]

  • Compare a Row to the MAX of Multiple Columns and Multiple Rows: The Easy Way

    Alright.  MAX on rows *and* columns.  This was a bit of a mind bender.  A fellow SQL Server Developer was wondering if it was possible to find the MAX and MIN values of multiple rows and columns and then compare it to a value on a single row.  Of course this could be done by […]

  • SSRS Sort Legend: It can be done!

    While working with a stacked bar chart in SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), I needed to change the sort order for the legend without changing the sort order of the stacked bar. Despite the fact I personally think stacked bar charts are a poor way to visualize data people still want to use them. Didn’t […]

  • Use F5 To Execute A Query In Visual Studio

    If you’re coming to Visual Studio 2010 from SQL Server Management Studio you’re probably getting annoyed by the fact that pressing the F5 does not execute your SQL when using the T-SQL Editor window. Do not fear! Like the $6 Million Dollar Man, “we have the technology… Better… Stronger… Faster.” Instead of the three buttons […]

  • SSIS: No column information was returned by the SQL command

    Are you trying to use a stored procedure as the source of a SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) data flow task?  If your stored procedure contains a temp table you may run into the message “No column information was returned by the SQL command” (complete error message below).  Although there are a number of solutions […]