From the DBA point of view, CLR blurred the distinction between compiled application code and database code. It raised questions about the roles of developer and DBA in the deployment, management and security of CLR code modules. To some extent it also blurred the distinction between the business logic tier and the data access tier in n-tier development models.

SQL Injection is an ever-present danger to your data. Here is something to help you understand and defend against attackers.

The default trace in SQL Server can provide important information for troubleshooting and auditing. The data can be queried directly from the trace files using the built-in function fn_trace_gettable.

Internal fragmentation in the database log file is often overlooked as a cause of poor performance.  Here is how to find out if you have it and how to fix it if you do.

Is SQL Server 2008 Release 2 a real release or just a service pack we have to pay for? We think it's a little of both. Find out what's in this release for you.

We continue our survey of the many useful features that come with your SQL Server license. This month we look at Integration Services.

SQL Server Database Mail allows you to send email from SQL Server. This incredibly useful feature is a great improvement over its predecessor, SQLMail.

What is Service Broker exactly and how can it help you? Here is an overview of SQL Server's asynchronous messaging service with some practical examples of how you can use it to solve difficult problems.

Cloud Computing is replacing Virtualization as the IT buzzword of the moment. In this issue we take a look at the details of Azure, Microsoft's entry into the field.

The most important elements of a backup plan are the decisions you make, not the tools you use.

Everybody tells you to write set based code in SQL, but no one tells you what that really means.

This month we explain a few things you need to know about clustering, log-shipping and mirroring.

You might save a lot of money if you understand the details of Microsoft's new licensing model.

Troubleshooting a deadlock problem used to be one of the more difficult tasks that a DBA faced. It is still tricky but Deadlock Graph, makes it easier than it used to be.

XML is a useful tool in any database environment, but it has its limits. Pushing it past its limits can result in serious performance issues.

Virtualizaion is the buzzword of the moment but there are other server consolidation methods that might work better and cost less.