Superior SQL Builder v1.3 released

Red Earth Technologies announces the release of version 1.3 of Superior SQL Builder, its SQL tool that allows users to visually build complete SQL scripts without typing any code.

Superior SQL Builder introduces new SQL scripting technology, allowing users to quickly and easily transform their database data. In version 1.3 this scripting technology has been extended and enhanced so that complex SQL scripts can be built in less time and with greater ease.

Codd's Rules

Frank gives us his take on Codd's Rules. If you're new to databases, this is the core theory that resulted in the development of RDBMS. If you're more experienced with databases, maybe now is a good time to return to the rules to see how you're doing!

Server side tracing in SQL Server, using system stored procedures

Ever wanted to use the SQL Trace system stored procedures instead of Profiler, but got intimidated by the cryptic system stored procedure calls? Then this article is just for you. It will show you how to use SQL Trace system stored procedures and provide you with wrapper stored procedures, that can be used to quickly get server side traces up and running.

Navigating Yukon - A First Look

Steve Jones takes a first look at the next version of SQL Server. It's been sitting for some time, but with the NDA lifted, here's some first impressions of the tools.

Worst Practice - Defining Rows that Exceed The Max Length

Andy started writing about worst practices a long time ago and returns this week with one that is short and sweet - why defining rows that exceed 8060 characters is a very bad idea and how you can avoid it.

Service Pack 1 for SQLCentric v.1.2.3 Now Available

This service pack contains bug fixed, plus enhancements including test email button, sorting, and drill down.

Sequential Numbering

Needing to number rows with a sequential id is a pretty common request. Sometimes it's because the user hasn't made the transition to 'set based' thinking, sometimes it really is a valid request (more or less!). Greg provides several different techniques to help you achieve sequential numbering.

Store Key - Storing Misc Data

This article proposes a system where extra data is stored in a simple row based table and retrieved using the 'store key'. It's not a new concept of course, but the author explains how and why he chose to implement. Feedback should be interesting!

Scaling Out

Kumar discusses the differences between scale up and scale out, then does a very good walk through of how to build a scale out solution.

New JDBC Driver for SQL

This is one of the vendors we met at PASS 2003. Their new driver is supposed to be faster than the driver provided by Microsoft AND supports NT authentication. Link takes you to a comparision chart of features. (Not Reviewed)