ΝKANTZELIS.GR-ΣΕΜΙΝΑΡΙΑ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΚΗΣ-ΣΧΕΔΙΑΣΜΟΣ WEB SITES

Configuring Database Mail in SQL Server
In this email I will demonstrate in detail how to set up Database Mail.I am sure that this feature is well documented elsewhere in the web but I decided to give it a go. Database Mail is a very useful feature.Both the Maintenance Plan Wizard and Maintenance Plan Designer have the ability to send e-mails to DBAs. We can use the SQL Server Management Studio to set up Database Mail.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1917&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Create and manage partitioned tables in SQL Server
In this post I would like to explain with some hands-on examples how to create a partitioned table in SQL Server. I know there are samples of how to use secure data in BOL,MSDN and elsewhere but I thought that it would be a good idea to give it a try with hands-on examples. Many people have found useful my style of posting. They feel they can follow the steps and master the technology/topic. We all know that at some point our database is going to grow and possibly become huge. In a database that it is e.g 3 Terabytes in size, we could have tables with million of rows.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1520&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Collation and SQL Server Data management
In this rather short post I would like to explain the concept of collation in SQL Server. This is a concept that stills confuses SQL Server DBAs and developers. I know that is a well documented feature (in books & the web) but I will give it a shot.In this post I will show you how collation affects the storage and behavior of your character data.Data is global nowadays.That means that at some point we will deal with databases that have data from different languages<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1893&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

The importance of filegroups in database performance
In this post I would like to explain you with a hands-on example the importance of filegroups in Sql Server databases. This is not a post that experienced/advnanced DBAS/developers should read. The target audience is beginners (Level 100). Most beginners in SQL Server do not understand the concept of filegroups and why we need them. Ι am going to start with a short introduction on data files,log files.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1880&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Looking into SPARSE Columns in SQL Server
In this rather short post I would like to provide you with a hands-on example on SPARSE columns. Sparse columns are very useful when we have tables and columns with many zero and NULL values.This feature was introduced in SQL Server 2008.We have a better more efficient way to manage empty space through SPARSE columns by enabling NULL data to consume no space at all. <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1875&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Looking into the various ways you can find out the Recovery model of databases in an SQL Server instance
This is going to be a rather short post. I have been teaching the Official Microsoft SQL Server courses in my capacity as MCT and to be totally honest with you I enjoy it very much.One of my favorite subject is Backup & Restore. This is maybe the main DBA task.There is no way to explain adequately Backup & Restore without talking about Recovery models.Well some people in the class did not know how to find the recovery model for each database in the server. Another common question is how to find out the recovery models for all databases in one go.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1867&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Looking into Nested Transactions and Rollback operations
In this post I would like to show you what happens when we issue ROLLBACK operations in nested transactions Have a look in this post of mine to find out more information about transactions.A lot of people are confused on how a Rollback statement impacts a nested transaction.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1857&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Looking into DENY and GRANT security permissions
In this post I would like to talk about DENY and GRANT security permissions. I will provide some examples that will demonstrate that DENY takes precedence over GRANT but there are some special cases.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1850&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Performance problems issued by duplicate indexes
In this post I would like to show you with a hands-on example why it is a bad idea to have duplicate indexes on SQL Server tables. Some people believe that having duplicate indexes will improve the performance. There will be no performance gain for SELECT statements and there will be a performance degradation for INSERT,UPDATE,DELETE statements.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1831&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Applying UNIQUE indexes on columns with Multiple NULLS
In this demo I would like to show you with a hands-on example how to apply unique indexes on column that contains multiple NULL values. Some people believe that this is not possible and think that if you want to enforce a unique index on a column, that column must have only one NULL value.I will show you that with the help of filtered indexes we can have unique indexes on columns with multiple NULL values.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1823&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

The dangers of over indexing your SQL Server tables
I have been teaching SQL Server recently in my capacity as MCT and to be totally honest with you I enjoy it very much.The topic that kept popping up all the time was indexes and how to use indexes to achieve high performance in SQL Server .Indexes is a vast subject and well documented elsewhere on the web.In most cases the answer is "it depends" when someone asks me if a column in a particular tables needs to be indexed.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1813&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Using the BULK INSERT statement to insert rows in a table with triggers and constraints
In this post I would like to talk about how to import data (from a text file) using the BULK INSERT statement. If you want to find out more about BULK INSERT have a look here . I will also explain how the BULK INSERT statement works with tables that have constraints and triggers attached on them. If you want to have a look in similar post in my blog regarding the bcp utility click here.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1806&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Using the bcp utility to insert rows in a table with triggers and constraints
In this post I would like to talk about how to import and export data using the bcp utility. I will also explain how the bcp utility works with tables that have constraints and triggers attached on them. No databases exist in isolation.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1796&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Create a master-detail Windows Forms application with EF
I have been teaching in the past few weeks many people on how to use Entity Framework. I have decided to provide some of the samples I am using in my classes. In this post I will show you a step by step example on how to build a Windows Forms (Master - Details) application with C# and Entity Framework. Have a look in this post if you would like to see how to implement similar functionality with WPF.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1778&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

How to configure WAS for TCP endpoints in IIS
In this post I would like to show you how to activate Windows Activation Services or WAS for TCP based activation.What this means is that it is possible to host WCF Services in IIS and expose TCP endpoints<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1768&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Self-hosting WCF Services
In this post I will show you how to host a WCF Service in your own applications.This is the third post in a series of posts on the various options we have when it comes to hosting WCF Services.If you want to know how to host the WCF Service in IIS have a look in this post.If you want to find out how to host a WCF Service in a windows service click here. I will use a simple a WCF service that just completes some basic math tasks.The main focus in this post is not to implement a very complicated WCF Service. The main focus is demonstrating how to host the WCF Service in IIS.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1759&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Host WCF Services in Window Services
In this post I will show you how to host a WCF Service in a Windows service.This is the second post in a series of posts on the various options we have when it comes to hosting WCF Services.If you want to know how to host the WCF Service in IIS have a look in this post. I will use a simple a WCF service that just completes some basic math tasks.The main focus in this post is not to implement a very complicated WCF Service. The main focus is demonstrating how to host the WCF Service in IIS. <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1748&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Hosting WCF Services in IIS
I am going to start a series of posts regarding the various options we have when we want to host a WCF Service. I am going to show you (in seperate posts) how to host WCF Services in IIS, host them in Window Services and self-host them. In this post I will show you to host WCF Services in ASP.Net Web Applications in IIS.I will use a simple a WCF service that just completes some basic math tasks.The main focus in this post is not to implement a very complicated WCF Service. The main focus is demonstrating how to host the WCF Service in IIS.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1727&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Using WCF Data Services in WPF applications
In this post I will provide you with hands-on examples on how to retrieve data from a WCF Data Service and bind the data to WPF data bindable controls that reside inside a WPF window.The client application in this case will be a WPF application again.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1694&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Using WCF services in WPF applications
In this post I will provide you with hands-on examples on how to retrieve data from a WCF service and bind the data to a WPF data bindable control that resides inside a WPF window. This is not going to be a post that will look into WCF Services in great detail. In the near future I will be writing posts on WCF.In a nutshell WCF provides a unified programming model for building service oriented applications. <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1681&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Windows forms and WPF Interoperability
In this post I will not be investigating at what some people call the "Windows single technology applications" which basically means that we build WinForms apps for the windows operating systems using only Windows Forms controls or alternatively build a windows WPF application using only the built-in or 3rd party WPF controls.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1658&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Using WCF Services in Silverlight 4.0 applications
In this post I would like to present in detail how we can consume WCF services from a Silverlight 4 application.I strongly suggest that you have a look in this post of mine where I talk about using web services .asmx in our silverlight applications.I do advise against using .asmx web services.WCF is strongly recommended by Microsoft and is the distributed technology that MS supports and will continue to support.In many cases you will see a difference in performance.WCF is significantly faster.Have a look in this very useful article in MSDN where it compares performance of WCF distributed systems with other existing distributed technologies. <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1636&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Using ASP.Net web services in Silverlight 4 applications
In this post I would like to present in detail how we can consume .asmx web services from a Silverlight 4 application. Silverlight supports and "recognises" web services in a similar way that ASP.Net applications can "talk" to web services.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1623&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Using Common Table Expressions in SQL Server
In this post I would like to talk about Common Table Expressions or CTE . I know there are samples of how to use CTE in BOL,MSDN and elsewhere but I thought that it would be a good idea to give it a try with hands-on examples.CTEs were introduced in SQL Server 2005. You can think of them as temporary views.They last only for the duration of the execution of the query<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1612&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Using large data types in SQL Server
In this post I would like to talk about the large value data types and how we can use them to store large amounts of data. We can store up to 2^31 bytes of character, binary, and Unicode data. I know there are samples of how to use large value data types in BOL,MSDN and elsewhere but I thought that it would be a good idea to give it a try with hands-on examples.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1607&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Using HierarchyID system data type in SQL Server 2008
In this post I would like to talk about the new system data type HierarchyID which was introduced in SQL Server 2008. I know there are samples of how to use HierarchyID in BOL,MSDN and elsewhere but I thought that it would be a good idea to give it a try with hands-on examples.It is used for storing hierarchical data.The most common scenario is that we want to store the data (relations and positions) of an organisational chart.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1594&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Looking into exceptions in SQL Server
In this post I would like to talk about exceptions in SQL Server. Well, let me make a general statement. All humans make mistakes.That includes application developers,database developers e.t.c. So all developers must be familiar with the various exception mechanisms and tools that each language has. Everyone who has worked with Visual Basic has used the "ON ERROR GOTO" statement and all .NET languages have exception handling techniques e.g Try Catch statements-blocks.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1579&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

A thorough look into transactions in SQL Server
In this post I would like to look into transactions in SQL Server. A transaction is a group of tasks that perform as a single unit of work.In database terms all parts of the transaction must be saved in tha database or must be abandoned.It is a great feature in the relational world since through transactions we make sure the database is never in an inconsistent state.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1548&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Looking into Resource Governor in SQL Server 2008
In this post I would like to talk about a new feature in SQL Server 2008, Resource Governor and what this new feature offers us in terms of performance and good use of resources.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1539&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Looking into Transparent Data Encryption
In this post I would like to look into Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) works in SQL Server 2008.I would like to stress that this is an SQL Server 2008/R2 Entreprise/Developer editions feature only.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1528&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Looking into Security in SQL Server
In this post I would like to talk about Security in SQL Server. This is a very big topic and you should embrace yourselves for a very long post. I know there are samples of how to use secure data in BOL,MSDN and elsewhere but I thought that it would be a good idea to give it a try with hands-on examples. Many people have found useful my style of posting. They feel they can follow the steps and master the technology. At the beginning I will give a short introduction about the various security threats that our systems face and then look into aspects of Security in SQL Server .Then I will provide many examples on how to secure data in SQL Server.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1477&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Performing Auditing in SQL Server environments
In this post I would like to talk about SQL Server Audit. This new way of auditing was introduced with SQL Server 2008.This feature is supported in SQL Server 2008 Enterprise edition.Auditing is simply the process of monitoring and tracking changes to the SQL Server system.All the DBAs need to implement auditing at some point to satisfy business requirements. There is something called "SQL Server Extended Events" engine.The extended events engine allows any process to define and raise events and consumers to receive events.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1416&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Data compression features in SQL Server 2008
In this post I would like to talk about data compression/backup compression features available to us in SQL Server 2008 and R2 editions. I will talk about Data Compression and Backup Compression. Data Compression is only available in Enterprise (SQL Server 2008 & SQL Server 2008 R2) edition or higher, not in the standard edition for SQL Server 2008/ R2. Backup compression was introduced in SQL Server 2008 Enterprise.Backup compression is available in the SQL Server 2008 Standard edition R2.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1422&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Looking into Triggers in SQL Server
In this post I would like to show a few examples of how to use triggers in SQL Server. I would like to talk about the uses of triggers, the type of triggers and some misconceptions about the triggers.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1403&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Using built-in functions in SQL Server
In this post I would like to show a few examples of built in T-SQL functions and global functions. I teach T-SQL to people from all walks of life and many of them have asked me to write a simple post with examples of the most commonly used T-SQL functions and global functions.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1385&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Looking into Views in SQL Server
In this post I would like to look into Views in SQL Server. As always I will demonstrate all the various concepts with hands on examples. I know that all these concepts are well documented elsewhere. I will try to show all these with step by step instructions and many screenshots. Many people have found useful my style of posting. They feel they can follow the steps and master the technology. Views have many advantages and when used correctly can benefit our applications.Please note that I will use T-SQL to create/alter/drop views. I will not use SSMS wizzards and graphic tools. Views are virtual tables.What is stored in SQL Server as a distinct object is the definition of the view(SELECT statement) and nothing else. Some people refer to views as a stored query producing a virtual table.The data that is accessible through the view is not stored in the database.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1342&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Using Type Converters in WPF
In this post I would like to talk/show you how to implement type conversions in WPF. We must talk a little bit for Binding in WPF before we move on to explain why we use type converters and show a hands on example. So what is Binding in WPF? In WPF we can bind any property of any object to any other property of some other object.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1320&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

An introduction to MVVM pattern using WPF
In this post I will show you how to build a simple WPF Application using the popular and well know MVVM pattern. I assume that you know the basics of XAML,WPF. I am going to use a hands-one example using Visual Studio and 2010.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1278&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Create a master details application with WPF and the Entity framework
I have been studying WPF for some time now and I am impressed with its extensive API and the incredible-stunning applications that one can build. In this post I would like to show you how to create a WPF application that will fetch data from a database<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1246&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

How to change the master page depending on the client’s browser
In one of my seminars on ASP.Net, I was asked a question from a student regarding master pages and the various browser appications. He basically asked if it was possible to have a different master page depending on the client’s browser. My initial answer was to find the browser’s version programmatically and according to this [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dotnetstories.wordpress.com&blog=1661705&post=1234&subd=dotnetstories&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />