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Not All SQL Commands Run in a
Transaction
As seen in the screenshot below, some SQL commands that would normally run
correctly cause problems when run as part of a transaction. If there is a
technical problem behind this, it should be cleared up.
Figure: Can't put this stored procedure in a transaction
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Allow Collation to be Altered Through T-SQL
Currently, SQL Server does not allow automated alterations to the collation via
T-SQL. SQL Server should include a T-SQL command to allow Database Collation to
be changed. All other properties can be changed; why not collation?
Also when the collation is changed we need an option to also change all the
objects inside the database as well (to this same collation).
Figure: The Collation should not be read only in the Database Properties dialog
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Make Create Stored Procedure Wizard
Launch From Command Line
The Create Stored Procedure Wizard in SQL Server provides a quick and easy way
to create basic stored procedures for a database. However, it can't be used from
the command-line, which would be a welcome feature.
I know there are a million code generators but I want this built in. I want to
be able to customize the templates and run the command line or the GUI (like
DTSRUN and DTSRUNUI)
Figure: Can't use this Create Stored Procedure Wizard from a command line
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There should only be one SQL Email
client * has been replaced
by
Database Mail *
Did anyone know that there is more than ONE mail client built into SQL Server?
Not 2, but 3 different mail clients.
- SQL Mail MAPI - xp_sendmail, xp_readmail
- SQL Agent Mail MAPI
- DTS Mail - Send Email Task
I should be able to setup and test mail in one location and it works everywhere.
I am very curious how this happened? Don't the different teams talk to each
other? Is this a problem of backward compatibility...
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Backups should be able to generate
a SQL create script for the database
How many times have we had to restore a large database just to have a look at the
schema for just one table?
This is why many developers have tried to find a way to script out their
database on a regular basis with their database. I suggest that a checkbox be
added to the maintenance plan wizard which will generate a .sql file in the same
directory as the backup.
Also I think it is important to be able to see the T-SQL that the Maintenance
Plan Wizard has created. Therefore, add a last screen to show all the script
that it has generated.
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Dragging fields in Query Analyzer
In Query Analyzer a handy thing is you can use the Object Browser to drag a
field to build a SQL statement.
It is handy but to be really useful we need to be able to select multiple fields
(with Control key).
Figure: Dragging fields in Query Analyzer
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Nice formatted copying of data from SQL Management
Studio
Figure: Copying records in a data viewer in SQL Management Studio
When copying data from a data grid in SQL Management Studio, data should be
copied to the clipboard in a display-friendly format (i.e. RTF / HTML), in a
fashion that resembles copying data from the Microsoft Access data viewer.
1 Gustavo 2005-05-16
16:33:33.060
2 Catherine 2005-05-16 16:33:33.077
3 Kim 2005-05-16 16:33:33.077
4 Humberto 2005-05-16 16:33:33.090
5 Pilar 2005-05-16 16:33:33.090
Figure: Bad example: data is plain-text only
TICK Figure: Good example: Access copies data to the clipboard pre-formatted -
also see the nice column headings
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Enterprise Manager View
* been replaced by right click Filter not quite as good as this
suggestion but good enough *
Figure: SQL Server Management Studio
When I am in Enterprise Manager I am usually searching for an item. This view
needs improving.
First, it would be a good idea to include all database objects (e.g. as Diagrams,
Tables, Views, etc.) in the main TreeView.
Figure: Current TreeView; does not display all database objects
Second, it would be a good idea to add a filter box to allow the display to be
limited, as is seen in the following image.
Figure: Limiting display with a filter text box
Alternately, an item that links to the Query Analyzer (see figure below) could be
added to a pop-up menu.
Figure: Query Analyzer
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Allow Unsigned Integers as Data Types
Visual Basic .NET code allows for the declaration of both signed and unsigned
integers. In the following example, both variable declarations are valid.
Private StartY As Integer ' Signed integer
Private StartPositive As
UInt32 ' Unsigned integer
|
| Figure: Declaration of variable types |
SQL Server doesn't offer any support for unsigned integers. This would serve as
a useful feature because it could seriously reduce the size of many databases.
Because if you know you have positive only numbers, you get an extra bit for
numeric resolution (especially useful for all ID fields)
Alternative: Allow use to specify an integer as being positive only - Either
way, an unsigned field type should be there.
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Allow SELECT * (EXCEPT Column1, Column2, ...)
Sometimes you want all the columns except a particular one. Boy it would be nice
to be able to say:
Example #1: SELECT * (EXCEPT Note, Image) FROM Customer
Example #2: SELECT * (EXCEPT LargeDataTypes) FROM Customer (this would
automatically remove Text, nText, Image, VarCharMax, nVarCharMax, XML)
Example #3: SELECT * (EXCEPT XML) FROM Customer (this is a specific
datatype)
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Generate Insert Statements
I would like to see an extra option Generate SQL Script of Data
Microsoft please get the script here and include the option on the right click
menu:
Note: I should not need to download the SQL Publishing Wizard to do
this it should be in the box
Figure: No option to generate SQL Script of Data
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Merge Replication Schema changes are too painful
Absolutely the most painful thing when Replication is in place is making schema
changes. In particular:
- Schema change propagation of ALTER table statements should be made simpler.
At the moment, I have to add a dummy column with the required datatype, update
it to the new values, then make another column with the correct name and
datatype and update that column with all the correct values. The removal of
replication is a time consuming process especially when the data has somehow
gotten out of synch.
- Dropping tables should be automatically done without forcing the removal of
subscriptions.
This process is also very time consuming, especially when
I have to remove all subscriptions because I want to remove one article from
publication. It would be great to be able to do this automatically.
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Merge Replication - Replication Agent is
unhelpful
During the processing of jobs, the Replication Agent does not provide adequately
detailed information for troubleshooting and resolving the issue. Please have
suggested solutions - like the Windows Event Log: this doesn't just have
recommendations, it also suggests solutions.
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Merge Replication - Add a Resynchronisation
Tool
If I am forced to remove replications, then re-add replications, I should have
the option to recheck the data and resynchronise any missing records.
This could be as simple as running an "myupdate" on offending records.
Note: We developed a tool to aid this.
http://www.ssw.com.au/SQLTotalCompare
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Merge Replication Security
FTP Replication should not require Port 1433 to be open, just the FTP port. This
is an issue with a lot of firewalls and security guys.
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Full Text Indexes in SQL Server 2005 SP1 please
As per
http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2005/10/17.html
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Automatic Compression on Backups
This should be in the box I should not need to be buying Quest LiteSpeed.
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Configuration Changes Script all config changes
I should be able to script out all settings that are different to the default.
Eg. right click a server and select
- Save Config Changes, this might be a .sql script or an .xml file and it would
contain and settings you have changed from a Vanilla install eg.
- Load Config Changes
- Server Collation being different then the default
- Memory configuration eg. AWE is configured to allow more than 2 GB of RAM
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Configuration Changes - Comparison of 2 Servers
Like the above I should be able to select 2 different servers and see the
differences basically a server compare
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A graphical workbench for analyzing trace output
All I want to see is see the top 10 worst performing queries with a graph.
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Retain Data in your DMVs
When you restart your server your Data Management Views are flushed please
stop doing this.
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Have a GUI to generate SQLCMD scripts
For example say I want to restore the master database then I would like to type
SQLCMDUI (like DTSRUN and DTSRUNUI) and it pops a form with a wizard where I
select the command, then the server, then the database etc.
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Have a database documenter built in
Then I don't need to purchases Apex SQLDoc or GeckoWare SQL Scribe
Documentation Builder
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Scripting Database Maintenance Plans
Don't get me wrong, maintenance plans in 2005 are better how they are just a
SSIS package. This means I can migrate it from one server to another.
I want more. I want to right click it called Generate Script just like a Job.
Basically everything in SQL Server should be able to have a right click Generate SQL
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With Data Dude add Load Tests for a stored proc
Allow me to specify a property Simulate [100] Concurrent Users and say this
stored proc must execute in under [50] seconds.
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Give me a dashboard with green ticks and red crosses
Like the
SQL Reporting Services configuration manager please check everything you can
eg:
- no backups red cross
- indexes not being used red cross
- database mail not being configured - red cross
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Change the SQL in a deployed report
In SQL Management studio add the reports datasets into the tree here, so you can
change the SQL in a deployed report
- Figure: SQL Management Studio - Tree
Change the Collation
Help users change the collation
You should be able to change the collation of a database (including tables and
fields)
If not we at least need a help button next to the collation field.
So add a button “How to Change?and it will say:
How to change the collation
- Check you have SQL Server Integration Services installed and running on local
computer.
- To change the collation, create a new database specifying the
collation (if the server location is different to what you want)
- Right Click -> Tasks -> Import Data
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Figure: Change Collation
Should be able to remember the folder I had gone
Should be able to past a directory folder and it go to it (so I can select the
.bak file there).
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- Figure: Remember this folder and direct there when I want to select the backup
file next time.
Do not create a Foreign Key
constraint that may cause multiple cascade paths
An occurs when you create a FOREIGN KEY constraint that may cause
multiple
cascade paths.
In SQL Server, a table cannot appear more than one time in a list of all the
cascading referential actions that are started by either a DELETE or an UPDATE
statement, which is a terrible limitation.
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View Indexes/Keys
View Relationships
View Fulltext Indexes
View XML Indexes
View Check Contraints
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- Figure: Right-click menu on a table in SQL Server Management Studio
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- Figure: Table Designer menu in SQL Server Management Studio
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I want to be able to create the .sdf file using SQL Management Studio and then xcopy the file to the device.
Currently the only way to move data is to use SQL Replication or the object model(RDA).