The Restore Database Wizard reads the backup history stored in msdb before it opens. When that history has grown for years, the wizard is slow. This post counts the history, deletes it in monthly steps with sp_delete_backuphistory, shows how to clean one database’s history, and sets up a regular cleanup so the wizard stays fast.
How to Search Special Characters in Table Column? – Interview Question of the Week #172
Can you find [blog.] in a column with LIKE? Most people I interview cannot. Here is how to search Special Characters in a table column the right way.
SQL Server – Performance Comparison of Function Trim and LTRIM(RTRIM)
A workshop question: what is the performance comparison of function TRIM and LTRIM(RTRIM) in SQL Server? Here are the test results.
SQL SERVER – Split Comma Separated Value String in a Column Using STRING_SPLIT
To Split Comma Separated Value String inputs, I use STRING_SPLIT with CROSS APPLY. The example associates each class with its student.
SQL SERVER – Fix Error: Invalid object name STRING_SPLIT
A reader on SQL Server 2016 got Invalid object name STRING_SPLIT when trying the new function. Here is why the error shows up and how to fix it.
Splitting DBCC CHECKDB Across the Week for a Large Database
Keep a large database under regular integrity checks by splitting DBCC CHECKDB work across seven nights and auditing coverage.
SQL SERVER – How to Get SQL Server Agent Properties?
During a health check someone asked if SQL Server Agent has settings to tune. It does. Here is how to get SQL Server Agent properties with a simple script.