Category: Microsoft SQL Server

  • Last Restore Date And Time – SQL Server Query

    “How old is this data?” “When was this database restored?” “How old is this backup?” These are common question in development environments.  A fast little t-sql query can tell you the following: The date and time of the last restore. The date and time the backup which was restored was originally taken. The user who […]

  • Alter Table: Add Not Null Column – SQL Server

    Listen up my people.  NOT NULL columns are your friend.  It may take a few extra brain cells to populate it initially but the long term rewards in data quality are well worth it. (You’ll also force all your software developer cohorts to think specifically about the values they’ll be inserting into a column which […]

  • SQL Script: Distinct Column Values Across All Tables

    Sometimes I wonder if some of the more random scripts I post are useful to anyone but me so if this one is useful to you definitely drop a comment below! Check it out:  Our team was trying to confirm what our best practice was when creating flag columns in the data warehouse.  As usual […]

  • 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 […]