On Friday, after Microsoft released the CTP, I talked a little bit about the changes you will see in SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1. Namely: new rowcount-related columns in sys.dm_exec_query_stats; extended functionality of the FORCESEEK query hint; a new FORCESCAN query hint; support for 15,000 partitions (to match new ...

I see this question a lot: ''I have a SQL Server 2008 R2 database.  Can I attach it to a SQL Server 2008 SP2 instance?'' Part of this stems from the confusion over exactly what 2008 R2 is in the first place.  It is not a service pack to SQL Server 2008; it is its own, full-fledged version.  A lot of people don't fully realize this ...

Bill Graziano took the stage and promised us the shortest keynote yet.  He started by giving thanks to outgoing board members Greg Low, Pat Wright and Kevin Kline.  Wayne Snyder took over and gave an emotional homage to Kevin, who gave 10 solid years to PASS.  Very touching.  Kevin left the stage to a standing ...