Is there a MINUS clause in SQL Server like in Oracle? Yes, EXCEPT returns the rows of the first query that are not in the second. Example included.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – Difference Between INTERSECT and INNER JOIN – INTERSECT vs. INNER JOIN
What is the difference between INTERSECT and INNER JOIN? Both can return common rows, and AdventureWorks examples show how the two compare.
SQL SERVER – Effect of Order of Join In Query
Does the order of join in a query change the result? With AdventureWorks, I show two queries that return the same rows, only in a different order.
Pagination With OFFSET and FETCH
OFFSET and FETCH make page-number queries readable, but deep pages scan past prior rows; keyset pagination keeps the next page focused.
SQL SERVER – DBCC SHRINKFILE Takes Long Time to Run
Why does DBCC SHRINKFILE take so long when index rebuilds run faster? It is single threaded. Rebuild indexes first and the shrink takes less time.
SQL SERVER – Clear SQL Server Memory Caches
Need to clear SQL Server memory caches on a production server you cannot restart? Three DBCC commands free up memory by cleaning the cache.
SQL SERVER – 2008 – Introduction to SPARSE Columns – Part 2
Part 2 on SPARSE Columns in SQL Server 2008: how they are stored as one XML column, plus the main advantages and the limits you should know about.