The SSRS Execution Account is a default Windows credential used by SSRS when running a report to access resources (e.g. file shares for image files) or databases for report datasources that do not require credentials and where Integrated Security is specified. … Continue reading →
Some functions for obfuscating data to protect personally identifiable data. Aims: fast enough to process a large table resulting data is “sufficiently” obfuscated resulting data retains enough characteristics that it makes some sense in context. transformations are repeatable so that … Continue reading →
Taking a database offline is probably less invasive than a detach-move files-reattach sequence. — Get file name and current location of files. SELECT name AS LogicalFileName, physical_name AS FileLocation, state_desc AS Status FROM sys.master_files WHERE database_id = DB_ID(‘RedgateMonitor’); USE MASTER — Alter … Continue reading →
Options for including literal values in scripts – syntax that I find particularly hard to remember. The feature is named Table Value Constructor. It was introduced in 2008 – see this article. Source of Merge statement MERGE INTO dbo.TargetTable AS Target … Continue reading →
Hiding Objects for Export CSV Titles and headings (other than column headings) are typically not required in CSV export. Text and column objects can be individually hidden from csv output: set the DataElementOutput property of the object to NoOutput PDF, Excel, etc Show … Continue reading →
Steps to follow to create a randomised dataset for testing. An online data generator: www.generatedata.com. Prepare the Database We will be loading a lot of data into the tables. So Set Instant File Initialisation Set the data file size sufficient to contain … Continue reading →
The problem in outline A simple expression can assign a random order or row number to a set of records. The following example assigns a random decimal value between 0 and 1 to each row in a set: CAST(RANK() OVER (ORDER … Continue reading →
Some practical reasons why NULL should be used as a no-value indicator in a column. These examples arise from a situation where a column will contain a unique value eventually . Until the value is known the column will have a … Continue reading →
This page could eventually save hours. SSRS Open Report Data toolbar. CTRL+ALT+D. (also on view menu if toolbar not in focus) View Hidden Datasets. Right-click the Datasets node.
Continue reading →The Question The IDs generated by NEWSEQUENTIALID() can be guessable. What would happen if the next sequential ID was guessed, inserted into a column and then NEWSEQUENTIALID() used for the next row? Would there be a clash of values? The Answer … Continue reading →