Articles Index
SQL Server Migration Assistant 2012
SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) provides database administrators with a smooth way to transition from their existing database platform to Microsoft SQL Server. The migration assistants are able to transfer data to either a server-based SQL Server database or to Microsoft’s SQL Azure cloud-based database platform.
Introduction to SQL Server 2012
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 is a full-featured relational database management system (RDBMS) that offers a variety of administrative tools to ease the burdens of database development, maintenance and administration. In this article, we'll cover some of the more frequently used tools: SQL Server Management Studio, SQL Profiler, SQL Server Agent, SQL Server Configuration Manager, SQL Server Integration Services and Books Online.
SQL Server 2012 Backup Types and Scopes
One of the major advantages that enterprise-class databases offer over their desktop counterparts is a robust backup and recovery feature set. Microsoft SQL Server provides database administrators with the ability to customize a database backup and recovery plan to the business and technical requirements of an organization.
Microsoft Access Genealogy Database Template
Are you interested in tracing your family roots but don’t have a good place to store all of your genealogical information? While there are several full-featured family tree software packages on the market, you can also use a free Microsoft Access template to create your own genealogy database on your computer. Microsoft’s already done most of the work for you, so there is no programming knowledge needed to get started.
Introduction to MySQL
Fed up with the world of commercial software licensing? Are you looking for a stable database platform for your organization but sweating at the hefty price tags attached to mainstream products from Microsoft and Oracle? MySQL may be for you!
SQL Server Constraints
SQL Server constraints allow you to enforce rules in your database. These rules may affect business logic, database integrity and/or table structures. Each one plays an important role in your database architecture.
What is a Database?
Databases are designed to offer an organized mechanism for storing, managing and retrieving information. They do so through the use of tables. If you’re familiar with spreadsheets like Microsoft Excel, you’re probably already accustomed to storing data in tabular form. It’s not much of a stretch to make the leap from spreadsheets to databases.
Database Keys
As you may already know, databases use tables to organize information. Each table consists of a number of rows, each of which corresponds to a single database record. So, how do databases keep all of these records straight? It’s through the use of keys.
Foreign Keys in Microsoft SQL Server
One of the most important concepts in databases is creating relationships between database tables. These relationships provide a mechanism for linking data stored in multiple tables and retrieving it in an efficient fashion. In order to create a link between two tables, you must specify a foreign key in one table that references a column in another table.
Microsoft SQL Server 2012: Choosing the Correct Edition
SQL Server 2012
Database Naming Rules
It’s very tempting to simply come up with something off the top of your head and run with it, but that’s not a great practice. Either you or your successors will curse the difficult field names you created down the road. In this article, I offer my advice on creating logical, consistent names for database fields, tables, reports, stored procedures and other objects.
Microsoft Access 2010 Fundamentals
Are you overwhelmed by the large quantities of data that need to be tracked in your organization? Perhaps you're currently using a paper filing system, text documents or a spreadsheet to keep track of your critical information. If you're searching for a more flexible data management system, a database might be just the salvation you're looking for and Microsoft Access 2010.
Creating Reports with Microsoft Access 2010
Microsoft Access 2010 allows you to easily create professionally formatted reports automatically from information stored in a database. In tis tutorial, we're going to design a nicely-formatted listing of employee home telephone numbers for the use of management using the Northwind sample database and Access 2010.
MySQL 5 Overview
Database professionals around the world are heralding the release of MySQL 5, just in time for the holiday season! This major new release of the popular open-source database packs in quite a few new features that bring MySQL into the league of full-featured relational databases. In this article, we’ll explore a few of the highlights of this new platform.
Creating a Simple Query in Access 2010
Have you ever wanted to combine information from multiple tables in your database in an efficient manner? Microsoft Access 2010 offers a powerful query function with an easy-to-learn interface that makes it a snap to extract exactly the information you need from your database. In this tutorial we'll explore the creation of a simple query.
Introduction to Pivot Tables
If you’re looking for some of the flexible query power of a database but don’t want to mess with relational database design, pivot tables may be just the technology you need. Chances are you’re already using one of the popular spreadsheet packages that include this technology, such as Microsoft Excel or the free Google Spreadsheets package.
Sample Excel Document for Pivot Tables
This sample Excel document contains student course registration data for use in generating pivot tables. It should be used in conjunction with the Creating Pivot Tables in Excel 2010 tutorial found on this site.
ZIP Code Database
This free Access database of ZIP codes provides database designers with a valuable tool to assist in mapping ZIP codes to a city/state pair and even provides the latitude and longitude of that location.
Data Control Language (DCL)
The Data Control Language (DCL) is a subset of the Structured Query Lanaguge (SQL) that allows database administrators to configure security access to relational databases. It complements the Data Definition Language (DDL), which is used to add and delete database objects, and the Data Manipulation Language (DML), which is used to retrieve, insert and modify the contents of a database.
MySQL Stored Procedures
With the release of MySQL 5.0, the popular open source database platform added one of the most long-awaited features: the ability to use stored procedures. Long a staple of commercial database systems, such as Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle, stored procedures provide database developers with a powerful tool.
What is SQL?
The Structured Query Language (SQL) is the set of instructions used to interact with a relational database. In fact, SQL is the only language that most databases actually understand. Whenever you interact with such a database, the software translates your commands (whether they are mouse clicks or form entries) into SQL statement that the database knows how to interpret.
Microsoft Access Sample Database: Countries, Cities and Provinces
This Microsoft Access sample database provides tables containing information on the world's countries, cities and provinces. It is used to illustrate examples for a number of the articles on the About Databases site and also provides a good sample for students, professionals and others who are learning Microsoft Access.
PCI DSS for Database Professionals
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) sets forth the security requirements for organizations that store, process and/or transmit credit or debit card transactions. These requirements stem from a series of significant security incidents affecting databases of consumer credit information over the past decade.
Database Servers Take the Security Test
Are you kept awake at night with fears about undiscovered security flaws in your database server? You're not alone! Many database professionals hesitate to blindly trust the assurances they receive from vendors that a product is secure.
Database Certification Spotlight: Oracle Certified Associate, MySQL 5
The Oracle Certified Associate, MySQL 5 credential offers entry-level certification for MySQL database professionals. The program, formerly known as the Certified MySQL Administrator (CMA) program, provides potential and current employers with confidence that candidates have demonstrated a base level of knowledge about the MySQL database platform.