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.
SQL SERVER – A Common Design Problem – Should the Primary Key Always be a Clustered Index
Should the Primary Key always be a clustered index? A design discussion about SSN numbers stored as strings and when a separate clustered index makes sense.
SQL SERVER – Remove Bookmark Key Lookup – 4 Different Ideas
A bookmark key lookup slows down any query. Here are my four posts on removing it, gathered in one place so you can read them in order.
SQL Server for Oracle DBAs: The Vocabulary
SQL Server for Oracle DBAs translates instance, database, schema, tablespace, undo, and redo without pretending the two architectures are identical.