Is IF EXISTS(Select null from table) faster than IF EXISTS(Select 1 from table)? A great comment thread by Divya, Brian and Marko answers it.
SQL SERVER – Recompile Stored Procedure at Run Time
Two ways to recompile a stored procedure at run time in SQL Server: add WITH RECOMPILE when you create it, or ask for a one-time recompile.
Mapping MySQL Data Types to SQL Server
Mapping MySQL data types requires checking signed ranges, text encoding, date limits, and application behavior before choosing SQL Server columns.
SQL SERVER – Plan Recompilation and Reduce Recompilation – Performance Tuning
Plan recompilation hurts performance just like a first compile. Learn what causes it, from schema changes to SET options, and how to reduce recompilation.
Minimal Logging for Bulk Loads
Minimal logging for Bulk Loads depends on recovery model, table shape, and locking; learn the prerequisites, tradeoffs, and how to verify a load.
Stored Procedure Optimization Tips That Still Matter
Stored Procedure Optimization comes down to a short list of habits you can test on your own server. This post builds one badly written procedure and one good one on a small orders table, then measures the difference in logical reads. It also covers parameter sniffing, the sp_ prefix, short transactions and error handling.
SQL SERVER – Difference Between Update Lock and Exclusive Lock
What is the difference between Update Lock and Exclusive Lock? An Update Lock can sit on a row that has a Shared Lock, then turns Exclusive when it writes.