What is fill factor and what is the best value for fill factor? I explain how it controls the space used on leaf-level pages and why the default is 100.
SQL SERVER – Shrinking Database is Bad – Increases Fragmentation – Reduces Performance
Shrinking database is bad: it increases fragmentation and reduces performance. Here is a simple example with two tables that shows it step by step.
Star Schema Queries and How SQL Server Runs Them
Star schema queries join a large fact table to focused dimensions; learn bitmap filters, columnstore, and indexes that support the real workload.
SQL SERVER – Quick Look at SQL Server Configuration for Performance Indications
Part two of my SQL Server Magazine series is a quick look at SQL Server configuration for performance and the settings I check first with new clients.
Using Query Store to Prove an Upgrade Did Not Hurt
Plan a Query Store upgrade comparison with a captured baseline, matched workload periods, regression review, and carefully monitored plan forcing.
SQL SERVER – DMV – sys.dm_exec_query_optimizer_info – Statistics of Optimizer
The DMV sys.dm_exec_query_optimizer_info keeps statistics of optimizer activity. My simple query shows optimizations, elapsed time, final cost and more.
SQL SERVER – Unused Index Script – Download
The unused index script from my script bank. Use it as guidance, not a drop list: check User Scan, User Lookup and User Update before you remove any index.