Thanks to what I learned from Itzik Ben Gan's Advanced TSQL course, I've recently reduced our audit trail by a hundred million records by running the following script as a...

If it is a new application then have they got a test version available for you to examine the database and have they done any load trials on that?

If bought-in...

When we've upgraded we've done it one application at a time so the move to the newer server is gradual.

Databases are backed up and restored on a development server of...

Takes me back to the old early PDP days where you had to use the switches to toggle in the bootstrap code to make it read the paper tape you...

Management Studio open all day for database management and sql querying then either Visual Studio 2008 for SSIS/AS/RS development as we're on SQL 2008 for those or Visual Studio 2010...

I agree and last year started a SharePoint Wiki where we can put such nuggets of information about the tools of our trade (SQLServer including SSIS, SSAS and SSRS ,...

SQLBill - as I said above, they already have sql agent operator role (the highest level). Without sysadmin permissions it doesn't do the job.

Thanks - they've got their sandbox and got sa on that. Normally I would insist we migrate to live, but there's politics and history to this lot from companies amalgamating...

When people tell me they have spreadsheets they want importing into sql, I usually ask them if they can supply it as csv because it saves any problems with differences...

There's never enough holiday - even if you can find time to take it!

I grew up with Potters fortnight as our local holiday and then there's Wakes weeks and...

We use Express edition for some small bought in applications but the big issue is that it doesn't have sql agent so we have to rely on backupexec for backups...

When SQL Server is installed (2008 anyway) it creates some local windows groups with names like SQLServerSQLAgentUser$Myserver$MSSQLSERVER and you'll see they have descriptions such as "Members in the group have...

Anything we purchased individually wouldn't be allowed onto the corporate network and own laptops, tablets etc aren't allowed either.

However if we can justify a tool or resource and it's...

Adding to all the above, make sure I've an accessible but secure location to store my library of SQL scripts (every DBA should have one) and get them onto the...

I'd like to work on the data and databases feeding the handicapping system for sailing. Clubs return race times for all the different types of boats and these are analysed...