Guest author Sandip hit Msg 1913 while creating an index, because an index or statistics with that name already existed. A lesson on statistics name and index creation.
SET LOCK_TIMEOUT and Error 1222: Waiting Less for Locks
Set LOCK_TIMEOUT to bound lock waits, reproduce error 1222, clean up the transaction, and retry safely without confusing client timeouts.
What to Collect When SQL Server Is Slow
Collect SQL Server diagnostic data in a useful order: waits, active requests, blockers, execution plans, and file IO during the slow period.
INNER HASH JOIN: Why a Table Join Hint Also Fixes Join Order
A join hint in the FROM clause quietly fixes the join order. I show the warning, three plans side by side, and the softer query-level alternative.
Comparing Session SET Options Between SSMS and the Application
Fast in SSMS, slow in the app? The query may be fine and the connection settings different. Here is how to check, with nothing to set up.
What Is a Cursor in SQL Server, and When to Avoid One
A cursor in SQL Server took 260 milliseconds where one SELECT took 4. Why the gap exists, how to turn a loop back into a set, and the three cases where a cursor really is the right answer.
Exchange Spill: When Parallel Streams Write to tempdb
Tempdb writes during a parallel query, with no sort warning in sight? Here is a demo that spills every time, and how to find the operator.