Welcome to our blog post where we will be discussing various concepts and ideas related to SQL Server. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced SQL Server user, this article will provide you with valuable insights into different aspects of SQL Server.

Copying Data from One Table to Another

One common task in SQL Server is copying data from one table to another. There are multiple ways to achieve this:

1. INSERT INTO SELECT: This method is used when the destination table already exists in the database. It allows you to insert data from another table into the destination table.
2. SELECT INTO: This method is used when you want to create a new table and insert data from another table into it. The new table is created with the same data types as the selected columns.

Catalog Views

Catalog views in SQL Server provide a way to access metadata information about the database. They are the most efficient way to obtain, transform, and present customized forms of this information. Catalog views expose all user-available metadata and are a valuable resource for developers and administrators.

Understanding PIVOT and UNPIVOT

PIVOT and UNPIVOT are powerful operators in SQL Server that allow you to transform data. PIVOT turns the values of a specified column into column names, effectively rotating a table. On the other hand, UNPIVOT is the reverse operation of PIVOT, but it doesn’t always return the original table. Both operators are useful for summarizing and analyzing data in a different format.

Working with Filestream

Filestream is a feature in SQL Server that allows you to store large objects, such as documents, images, audios, and videos, in the file system. It integrates the SQL Server Database Engine with the New Technology File System (NTFS) and provides a way to manage unstructured data efficiently. With Filestream, you can insert, update, delete, and select data stored in FILESTREAM-enabled tables using Transact-SQL statements.

Introduction to SQLCMD

SQLCMD is an enhanced version of isql and osql, providing more functionality than its predecessors. It can work in two modes: BATCH and interactive. SQLCMD is a powerful tool for executing SQL scripts, managing databases, and automating tasks. It is recommended to use SQLCMD as a replacement for isql and osql.

Understanding TABLESAMPLE

TABLESAMPLE is a useful feature in SQL Server that allows you to extract a random sampling of rows from a table. This can be helpful when you only need a subset of data for analysis or testing purposes. TABLESAMPLE retrieves rows randomly and does not guarantee any specific order.

Exploring ROW_NUMBER() and Ranking Functions

ROW_NUMBER() is a function in SQL Server that assigns a unique sequential number to each row within a result set. Ranking functions, such as RANK() and DENSE_RANK(), provide ranking values for each row within a partition. These functions are useful for sorting and analyzing data based on specific criteria.

Change Data Capture (CDC) in SQL Server 2008

Change Data Capture (CDC) is a feature introduced in SQL Server 2008 that tracks changes made to tables. It records INSERTs, UPDATEs, and DELETEs and stores the information in change tables. CDC provides a reliable and efficient way to capture and analyze data changes, making it easier to track and understand the history of data modifications.

We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights into various SQL Server concepts and ideas. Stay tuned for more informative blog posts in our Interview Questions and Answers Series.