I've found that account numbers (of various types, not just bank accounts) have meaningful leading zeros. So they must be stored as char/varchar.

This could lend itself to...

My "None of the above" story:

I was taking an online test. The test could be repeated 3 times until you passed. So you didn't just remember the answers...

I like Sergiy's solution too. But what happens when you need to insert a new replacement code between priority 3 and 4?

I suppose giving the full message rather than "etc" would have given it away.

Marcia Q (8/31/2010)

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Our nationwide call center needs to determine if they are making a call between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. in the local time zone of the call...

I suspect the invoice date is formatted as YYYYMMDD but stored as an integer. I've inherited a number of tables like that. Another important reason for giving us...

I'm sure this topic will get a lot of "It Depends ..." answers. Here's mine.

An identity as PK is easy. It will guarantee that any record inserted into...

That means you have 25 discrete...

Would it be possible to change the UserRank table to include a DateUpdated column? When a rank is added or changed, DateUpdated is set to GETDATE().

Then from time to...

Have you considered what you will do with zip codes that cross county lines? Does your data source (when you decide on one) split the zip code by county?

Consider...

I am reminded of the pithy saying, "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."

I am not a clock-watcher. I give myself enough...

Your example on checking the length of a column before altering it needs a "wrapper" to check that the column exists at all. If the column doesn't exist, then...

I selected "all of the above", knowing I'd probably get it wrong. Because none of them are good practice. You should always check for existence of a procedure...

My thinking time usually comes about 2:00-4:00 in the morning, when I can't sleep. Sometimes good ideas do come to me then.