The "not enough space on the C:" drive was absolutely correct.

The extraction process must bounce stuff via the TEMP directory or something.

As soon as I had cleaned up my C:\...

Actually your article highlights a need that isn't satisfied via legitemate means i.e. triggers on system tables.

Role on YUKON.

I can't get SP3 off the launch pad.

The SETUP.BAT file refers to \x86\setup\sqlsetup.exe as does the readme file however, I don't get a \setup directory within \x86.

I've tried SQL2KSP3.EXE and...

I know you said it was wortst practice in your article, but the icy hand of DBA's past gripped my heart when I read about altering system tables.

I am always...

If it works its obsolete

It depends on the nature of the evolution. If it is constantly trying to implement new stuff then this suggests that...

Good point on readability.

One problem with comments is that they can be displayed in a variety of fonts so if you have anything lined up results can be unpredictable.

Ditto indentation...

I insist on header blocks because a well written header tells the uninitiated at a glance what the proc/function is supposed to do.

I do keep a history in the proc,...

When one eliminates the impossible that what remains, no matter how improbable, must be the solution.

Sherlock Holmes.

Ryan,

What sort of system is it that runs for 5 minutes on a Friday and doesn't matter if it doesn't work for a month or so?

OK I know that this...

My experience with systems that are used periodically i.e. at set intervals but not continuously, is that when they are used it is "all hands to the pump" and they...

Gods do I hear you on this, and I'm deaf!!

This is why I always script everything I do. Yes EM is quick and easy, but the wretched thing should...

I agree with your last point that there should be a tool to do the laborious stuff for you.

I agree that it would be handy to be able to do...

Sounds like a very old legacy system if it is using dBaseIV.

If the supplier was to upgrade to MSDE then at least there would be the possibility of using replication...

The first thing I do following the creation of a new database (and back up of the master) is to expand the master database and user database to a size...

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "metadata queries". What is it you are trying to do on the system tables?