A small story with a big moral about Activity Monitor and performance issue: a client left the tool open, and the monitor itself slowed the server down.
Finding Every Object That Uses a Column
Find an object that uses a column with dependency metadata and module text search, then check dynamic SQL and application code.
SQL SERVER – Finding Memory Pressure – External and Internal
A quick query to find external and internal memory pressure in SQL Server and see how much memory each memory type is using right now.
Page Density: The Fragmentation Number That Actually Slows Scans
Measure page density and fragmentation, compare scan reads around a test rebuild, and choose fill factor using workload evidence.
Restoring a Sample Database to New Folders With RESTORE FILELISTONLY
Use RESTORE FILELISTONLY to map backup files to local folders, restore a separate sample copy, and verify its data and log paths.
hierarchyid IsDescendantOf: A Node Includes Itself
hierarchyid IsDescendantOf tests membership in a subtree, including its root. These literal paths keep both compared nodes visible and distinguish self from a strict descendant.
SQL SERVER – Solution – Challenge – Puzzle – Usage of FAST Hint
The solution to my puzzle on the usage of FAST hint: Brad Schulz shows an AdventureWorks example where the FAST hint really improves performance.