Do you love XML? Have you been using XML with SQL Server? Many people have,
starting way back when with SQL Server 7.0. Back then, there was no support
for XML in the database, so we had to write external programs to convert the
relational data into an XML format. This was time-consuming and often
inefficient. When SQL Server 2000 came out, with its integrated support for
XML, there were a lot of high expectations. Unfortunately, XML still couldn't
be easily stored in the database, although it could be created and consumed.
XML could be stored in the database as a large string of text, but this was
problematic at best. Large VARCHAR and TEXT strings are hard to manipulate.
This worked, though, and programmers managed to create great systems. Still,
something more was ne... (more)
In today's complex and demanding environments, it is quite common for users
to be able to submit requests faster than those requests can be processed. In
some situations, this is because the system has an enormous number of users.
In other situations, it is because the requests take a long time to process.
In both cases, the system needs to be designed so that it can accept the
requests ... (more)
Like many of you, I have been using .NET since before it was officially
released. Even now, after years of using the product, I am still impressed by
its incredibly flexible nature. When using the classes in the .NET framework,
there are usually half a dozen ways of performing the task at hand. While
this does tend to make learning the framework a bit of a chore, it seems to
pay off time... (more)
Have you ever heard the expression "I want it so bad that I can taste it?"
Well, that's the way I feel about SQL Server 2005. I've been looking forward
to the official release for quite some time. When people ask me why, I
usually say "SELECT TOP X." In addition to generating some funny looks, this
response gets my point across rather nicely. The next version of SQL Server
supports many ... (more)
Sequential numbers. Sooner or later, you'll find a process that requires you
to generate a series of sequential numbers. As a matter of fact, most
database engines provide at least one method of producing such numbers.
Microsoft Access, for example, has AutoNumber columns, while SQL Server has
IDENTITY columns. However, these are features of tables. There are times when
you need some seq... (more)
Jerry Dixon is a senior developer and architect for ACH Food Companies in Memphis, Tennessee. Over the past 16 years he has led development projects for a number of enterprise, mid-level, and small business organizations. While he has fulfilled multiple roles as an infrastructure designer, database administrator, and software developer, he specializes in XML, SQL and ASP.NET. He is a co-leader and frequent presenter at the Memphis .NET User Group. Jerry holds the following Microsoft certifications: MCSD (VB 6.0 and .NET), MCDBA (SQL 2000), MCSA (Windows 2000 and 2003), MCSE (Windows 2000), MCAD (.NET), MCT. He resides in Olive Branch, MS with his wife and son.
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