Recent Blogs and Articles

Welcome to SQL Matters

SQL Matters is a resource for SQL Server Developers, Architects, DBAs and others interested in SQL Server and related technologies . Our site contains a wide range of articles, tips, blogs, quiz questions and other information about the SQL Server range of products. This includes Integration Services (SSIS), Reporting Services (SSRS), Analysis Services (SSAS) and some other products that we feel might be of interest to the SQL Server community such as PowerPivot and Report Builder.

Here are some examples of technical information that you might be interested in :

Featured Tip

Determining the length of a text column

The length of a varchar column can be determined using the len() function, however this generates an error when used with the text datatype. Fortunately we can use the datalength() function to work out the length of a text field. This article shows how.

Featured Script

Searching ALL SQL Server Logs using TSQL

The stored procedure xp_readerrorlog (and also sp_readerrorlog) allows searching of the SQL Server error logs. However only one log can be searched at a time. This script searches all available logs, by looping through each log in turn.

Quick Quiz : DATALENGTH results

What is the result of the following SQL query ?
DECLARE @MyStr NVARCHAR (100)
SET @MyStr = 'ABC'
SELECT DATALENGTH(@MyStr)
Choose one : a) 3    b) 6    c) 50    d) 100