Test OPTIMIZED_SP_EXECUTESQL in SQL Server 2025, inspect compilation counters and cached plans, and compare a concurrent workload.
Compare Showplan: Finding What Changed Between Two Plans
Compare Showplan shows where two plans differ, but not why. Here is a small before and after example you can run yourself.
SQL SERVER – Check If Column Exists in SQL Server Table
A very common task is to check if column exists in a SQL Server table before you act on it. Here are two simple methods, using sys.columns and COL_LENGTH.
Trying New SQL Server Features Without Risk
Trying New SQL Server Features safely takes a separate instance, a controlled data copy, and before and after measurements.
Row Overflow Data: Finding Rows That Spill Past 8,060 Bytes
Find row overflow data pages in wide SQL Server tables, identify large VARCHAR values and rows, and measure their extra read cost.
SQL SERVER – How to Set Variable and Use Variable in SQLCMD Mode
A reader asked how to pass a different table name each time in SSMS. I show how to set and use a variable in SQLCMD mode with :SETVAR, step by step.
SQL SERVER – Another lesser known feature of SQL Server Management Studio 2012 – Guest Post by Balmukund Lakhani
Balmukund Lakhani shows another lesser known feature of SQL Server Management Studio 2012, hidden in the Connect to Server screen you see every day.