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.
How to List All the SQL Server Jobs When Agent is Disabled? – Interview Question of the Week #171
When SQL Server Agent is disabled, you cannot expand it in SSMS to see its jobs. Here is how to list all the SQL Server Jobs with a simple query instead.
How to Force a Parallel Execution Plan for a Query? – Interview Question of the Week #170
A customer asked how to force a Parallel Execution Plan for a query. Here are two methods, including QUERYTRACEON 8649, with a simple example.
What are Ports Needed to Configure Log Shipping? – Interview Question of the Week #169
What are ports needed to configure log shipping? A client in a locked-down network asked me, and here is the list of ports to open on the firewall.
What is SQL Server Launchpad Service? – Interview Question of the Week #168
What is the SQL Server Launchpad Service? I had to look it up myself. Here is the short answer: it launches the Advanced Analytics Extensions processes.
How to Estimate Space Saved by Data Compression in SQL Server? – Interview Question of the Week #167
How to estimate space saved by data compression in SQL Server? Use the built-in sp_estimate_data_compression_savings procedure. Here is a quick example.
Which is Better for Performance – SELECT or SET? – Interview Question of the Week #166
Which is Better for Performance, SELECT or SET? In a loop, one SELECT that assigns several variables beats separate SET statements. Here is why.