You could almost hear the gasps of horror when Microsoft integrated the .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR) into SQL Server 2005. Run C# or VB.NET code inside SQL Server? For many database developers and administrators, it was like an alien had just burst through SQL Server’s midsection.

But SQL Server MVP Adam Machanic says that more and more developers and DBAs are discovering that far from destroying SQL Server performance and security, SQLCLR is actually a powerful ally in solving complex business and technical problems.

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SQL Server MVP Adam Machanic shows a new way of parsing strings in SQL Server using SQLCLR that outperforms all conventional TSQL methods, as well as the most common SQLCLR implemenations, using a custom split function that allows streaming of the results.

Learn how to use SQLCLR to get file system information instead of using xp_cmdshell on your SQL Servers.

If you develop SQLCLR objects with a version of Visual Studio other than Professional Edition, these free tools can help speed up your development and deployment times.

Greg Low a SQL Server MVP, has submitted a very compelling Connect item 265266, Add server-side compilation ability to SQL CLR which aims to remove the requirement to develop SQLCLR assemblies external to SQL Server.  Read about this suggestion here, and vote for it by visiting the Connect site to let Microsoft know you think it is important.