After 36 flights in two months, my airline review of Paramount, Kingfisher, Go Air, Indigo, Jet Airways, Indian Airlines and Spicejet, ranked by preference.
Validate an XML Document in T-SQL With an XSD Schema by Jacob Sebastian
To validate an XML document in SQL Server, store an XSD in a schema collection and type the variable or column with it. Jacob Sebastian’s lesson is kept, and I added tests on SQL Server 2025 that show the error number for each kind of bad document and what DOCUMENT and CONTENT accept.
Reading the Error Log With T-SQL
Reading the error log with T-SQL helps you search current and archived SQL Server messages, then set a useful log cycle schedule.
SQL SERVER – Size of Index Table for Each Index – Solution
Two reader solutions to my puzzle: queries that show the size of the index table for each index, accurate in nearly all of my tests.
DATEDIFF_BIG: Count Long Intervals Without int Overflow
DATEDIFF_BIG returns bigint boundary counts. Compare a long seconds interval, reversed dates and a tiny boundary crossing without overflowing int.
What Is Installed? Finding Every SQL Server Component
Finding every SQL Server component starts with the Setup discovery report, then checks services, engine versions, and separate client tools.
Following a Blocking Chain to the Head Blocker
Follow SQL Server blocking_session_id through a blocking chain, identify the head blocker, and choose a safe ending for the wait.
Pre-Aggregating Data for Fast Dashboards
Pre-aggregating data can make dashboards fast through summary tables or indexed views when grain, refresh, and reader consistency are clear.
SQL SERVER – Comma Separated Values (CSV) from Table Column
The script I use most often to build Comma Separated Values (CSV) from a table column with FOR XML PATH. I think XML is the best option for code and speed.
SQL SERVER – Interesting Observation – TOP 100 PERCENT and ORDER BY
ORDER BY in a view raises Msg 1033 unless TOP is used, so many developers add TOP 100 PERCENT. An interesting observation on what that really does.