[SQLServerCentral - www.sqlservercentral.com](
A community of more than 1,600,000 database professionals and growing
Featured Contents
- [Deeper into Nonclustered Indexes: Stairway to SQL Server Indexes Level 2](
- [Free eBook: Understanding SQL Server Concurrency](
- [SQL Server AlwaysOn Availability Groups Using an Azure Template](
- [SQL Server 2017 Encrypted Backups And Compression]( (From the SQLServerCentral Blogs)
- [SpeedPASS Download Naming Convention]( (From the SQLServerCentral Blogs)
The Voice of the DBA
Software Patents
This editorial was originally published on Jan 30, 2014. It is being re-published as Steve is out of town.
I highly dislike the current patent system in the US. I think awarding patents for an idea like "[1-click purchasing](" is a poor practice that discourages innovation. There are numerous problems with our patent system, not the least of which is that it can stifle new ideas and prevent small companies from building on similar ideas that are, well, what I'd all common sense. I don't quite share [Richard Stallman's view of software patents]( but I do think we have fundamental flaws in the way we handle this intellectual property.
I do, however, think that software has value, and the work we do as software engineers deserves compensation, as noted in [this post](. We should have some patents, and we should reward those that create truly innovative, and not common sense, ideas in the digital world. How we define those, and how we measure innovation isn't clear to me, but I do think that non-trivial ideas deserve protection.
Our legal systems around the world are slow to catch up to the digital world, and may never do so. As quickly as we can debate patents, copyright, trademarks, and more, the digital world grows, expands, and changes to stretch and challenge our thinking of how the world works. It almost seems as though digital ideas and software defy analogies and explanations that we can relate to the real world.
I don't know how I'd change patents, but I don't want them to go away completely. I do, however, know what I'd do with copyright. I'd change it back to the original system we had, granting 14 years exclusivity to creators, with a single option to renew for 14 years and that's it. The world certainly changes too fast to [wait 95 years]( to use someone else's work.
Steve Jones from [SQLServerCentral.com](
Join the debate, and [respond to today's editorial on the forums](
ADVERTISEMENT
[SQL Compare](
The industry standard for comparing and deploying SQL Server database schemas
Trusted by 71% of Fortune 100 companies, SQL Compare is the fastest way to compare changes, and create and deploy error-free scripts in minutes. Plus you can easily find and fix errors caused by database differences. [Download your free trial](
[Database DevOps](
How mature are your database DevOps processes?
Complete Redgate’s Database DevOps Maturity Assessment to understand how mature your processes are, how you compare against your peers, and receive recommendations for improvements. [Take the assessment](
Featured Contents
 []
[Deeper into Nonclustered Indexes: Stairway to SQL Server Indexes Level 2](
David Durant from [SQLServerCentral.com]()
By this stage, you should be familiar with the basics of SQL Server indexes. We've discussed what an Index actually is, as well as some of the most common types you're likely to encounter. Now that we've seen some simple examples of how Indexes can be useful, we're going to delve deeper into nonclustered indexes, as we'll see how they can improve the performance of more complex queries.[More »](Series/72286/)
---------------------------------------------------------------
 []
[Free eBook: Understanding SQL Server Concurrency](
Press Release from [Redgate]()
When you canât get to your data because another application has it locked, a thorough knowledge of SQL Server concurrency will give you the confidence to decide what to do.[More »](
---------------------------------------------------------------
 []
[SQL Server AlwaysOn Availability Groups Using an Azure Template](
Additional Articles from [MSSQLTips.com]()
There is already a template on the Azure marketplace for setting up an AlwaysOn Availability Group. In just a few easy steps you can get a working AlwaysOn Availability Group setup, configured and running - this post describes the steps to quickly set it up.[More »](
---------------------------------------------------------------
 []
From the SQLServerCentral Blogs - [SQL Server 2017 Encrypted Backups And Compression](
Arun Sirpal from [SQLServerCentral Blogs](
Letâs work through some code to do an encrypted backup. This feature is available to you if you are using...[More »](
---------------------------------------------------------------
 []
From the SQLServerCentral Blogs - [SpeedPASS Download Naming Convention](
Andy Warren from [SQLServerCentral Blogs](
This was the first time in a long time that I managed the check-in process of SQLSaturday Orlando and was...[More »](
Question of the Day
Today's Question (by Steve Jones):
I have the movies.csv file from the [MovieLens project](. I want to load this in R Studio for some analysis. What should I do in order to build a variable called "movies" with this data?
Think you know the answer? [Click here](, and find out if you are right.
---------------------------------------------------------------
We keep track of your score to give you bragging rights against your peers.
This question is worth 1 point in this category: R Language.
We'd love to give you credit for your own question and answer.
To submit a QOTD, simply log in to the [Contribution Center](.
ADVERTISEMENT
[Pro SQL Server Relational Database Design and Implementation](
Learn effective and scalable database design techniques in a SQL Server 2016 and higher environment. This book is revised to cover in-memory online transaction processing, temporal data storage, row-level security, durability enhancements, and other design-related features that are new or changed in SQL Server 2016. [Get your copy today from Amazon](.
Yesterday's Question of the Day
Yesterday's Question (by Steve Jones):
What types of fixes does a GDR release include? Assume this is for a particular branch of code, such as the RTM release.
Answer: All previous GDR security fixes plus the current security related fix
Explanation:
A GDR is a General Distribution Release in Microsoft terminology. However, these contain only security related fixes for that branch. Cumulative Updates and Serivce Packs are separate branches of code.
GDRs will contain previous GDRs, but not other CU fixes. This means if SQL Server releases
RTM, CU1, GDR1, CU2, GDR2, CU3
You would have two branches of code patches that you could follow:
RTM, GD1, GD2
or
RTM, CU1, CU2, CU3
You can move from the GDR branch to the CU branch, but not back.
Ref: Back to Basics SQL Server Terminology - [click here](
---------------------------------------------------------------
[» Discuss this question and answer on the forums](
Database Pros Who Need Your Help
Here's a few of the new posts today on the forums. To see more, [visit the forums](. ---------------------------------------------------------------
[SQL Server 2017]( : [SQL Server 2017 - Development](
[Delete syntax not working]( - hi, Here is the delete syntax but it is not working even though all the conditions satisfy. What is the issue? DELETE...
---------------------------------------------------------------
[SQL Server 2016]( : [SQL Server 2016 - Administration](
[What can you tell me about DBeaver?]( - One of my colleagues at work uses DBeaver for analyzing the databases he needs to work with. I've never heard...
---------------------------------------------------------------
[SQL Server 2016]( : [SQL Server 2016 - Development and T-SQL](
[Partition/Over Window Woes]( - Morning All, I am trying to get a query to show me the results of jobs in the last 24 hours. I...
[pipe-delimited text with header row]( - Hi, I need to save the result with pipe-delimited text with header row. any suggestions please. Thanks
[Very challenging TSQL Query]( - Hi Experts, I have a table (test) with the following data :
[Using Date in Where Condition]( - I Have issues in selecting records when using date in my where clause  1 ) I am trying to fetch records for...
[Salesforce data and missing foreign keys]( - For reporting purposes we have synced our SFDC data onto a SQL server using a third party middleware. Everything looks great,...
---------------------------------------------------------------
[SQL Server 2014]( : [Administration - SQL Server 2014](
[Database Mirroring Issue]( - Hello Team, I have a database which was mirroring currectly to DR successfully until the principal database crashed due to fried...
[Cannot login form PC on the LAN]( - Just set up SqlServer 2014 Express called SERVER\SQLEXPRESS There is a Firewall on with standard settings I have also put in exclusions...
[Source control in MS SQL- Advice and suggestions]( - Hi guys, Have been posting about this topic within this week; seeking advice and ideas on Source control /Â version control to...
---------------------------------------------------------------
[SQL Server 2014]( : [Development - SQL Server 2014](
[Code for 'week to date' DATETIME() mine is displaying previous weeks]( - (Invoice_Exceptions.DateTime >= DATEADD(dd, DATEDIFF(dd,'17530101', GETDATE()) / 7 * 7 - 7, '17530101')) AND (Invoice_Exceptions.DateTime <= DATEADD(dd, DATEDIFF(dd,'17530101', GETDATE()) / 7 * 7, '17530101')) This code...
---------------------------------------------------------------
[SQL Server 2012]( : [SQL 2012 - General](
[Migration from SQL 2005 to 2012]( - Hi I am involved in a project of server migration which needs moving from SQL 2005 (Enterprise Edition - 64 bit - SP2)...
---------------------------------------------------------------
[SQL Server 2012]( : [SQL Server 2012 - T-SQL](
[Help in finding events in two-week period]( - Hello everyone,
[OPEN TEXTFILE FROM T-SQL]( - Hai Friends, I have this TXT FILE And I want to create Stored Procedure to insert to TEMP TABLEÂ With each name of...
---------------------------------------------------------------
[SQL Server 2008]( : [SQL Server 2008 - General](
[Stock take FiFo conundrum]( - Hello, I'd very much appreciate some advice/help with a stock take problem. I've had a look at but my scenario differs somewhat....
---------------------------------------------------------------
[SQL Server 2008]( : [T-SQL (SS2K8)](
[Something interesting about patindex]( - This query: SELECT = charindex('',''), = patindex('',''); Returns: charindex    patindex 0      1[/c
---------------------------------------------------------------
[Reporting Services]( : [Reporting Services](
[SSRS Reports are not opening in chrome]( - SSRS 2012 Reports are not opening in chrome and they are opening in IE, when i google i can see below...
---------------------------------------------------------------
[Reporting Services]( : [Reporting Services 2008 Development](
[How to create a summary for a dataset]( - My report consists of a list of patients, location in the hospital, and a column called "TobaccoUseWithin30Days. The values in this...
---------------------------------------------------------------
[Data Warehousing]( : [Analysis Services](
[YoY comparison problem in DAX]( - Scenario: Take a fundraising event (e.g. Virgin London Marathon), which has an event start date, say in 2017. This event...
---------------------------------------------------------------
[SQLServerCentral.com]( : [Articles Requested](
[Writing Test Cases for T-SQL Code]( - I'd love some articles that look at a piece of code you've written (query/batch/proc) and then what test cases or...
This email has been sent to {EMAIL}. To be removed from this list, please click [here.](
If you have any problems leaving the list, please contact the webmaster@sqlservercentral.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------
This newsletter was sent to you because you signed up at [SQLServerCentral.com](.
Feel free to forward this to any colleagues that you think might be interested.
If you have received this email from a colleague, you can register to receive it [here](.
---------------------------------------------------------------
This transmission is ©2017 Redgate Software Ltd, Newnham House, Cambridge Business Park, Cambridge, CB4 0WZ, United Kingdom. All rights reserved.
Contact: webmaster@sqlservercentral.com