Collation describes the code page, case sensitivity, accent sensitivity, and language or alphabet in use. This SQL Server tip illustrates how you can force the use of any specific collation.

Normalization is one of the commandments of IT database pros, whether you are a data modeler, DBA, or SQL developer. Arthur Fuller defines each normal form and explores why most database designers don't go beyond the Third normal form.

In this SQL Server tip, Arthur Fuller explains the effects of NULLs, and the different results obtained by inner and outer JOINs.

Arthur Fuller recounts his less-than-smooth installation of SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and offers a few suggestions based on what he learned along the way.

Arthur Fuller responds to a reader who sent him a question recently asking how to display currency amounts in currency format. Check out the solution he offers for the reader's problem.

Arthur Fuller explores the value of identity columns and the usefulness of their arbitrary values and discusses ways to use SQL Server 2000's IDENTITY_INSERT setting.

The basic concept of recursion is straightforward: a given chunk of code calls itself until some boundary condition is reached. Arthur Fuller demonstrates how to use recursion in T-SQL.