Investigate dead code with cached procedure statistics, dependency checks and retained snapshots, then quarantine candidates before removal.
BULK INSERT ORDER Hint: Loading Pre-Sorted Files Without a Sort
The ORDER hint does not sort anything. It is a promise about your file, and SQL Server checks it. Here is what happens when you break it.
SQL SERVER – Resource Governor and Database Mapping
At SQLPass, an attendee asked how InMemory databases use memory. I show how Resource Governor and database mapping let you bind a database to a resource pool.
SQL SERVER – 2016 – Opening JSON with OPENJSON()
The next step with JSON in SQL Server 2016 is reading it. OPENJSON parses JSON text and returns properties as rows. A simple example with the default schema.
SQL SERVER – Could Not Register Service Principal Name Persists – Notes from the Field #105
Seeing ‘Could not register the Service Principal Name’ in your SQL Server log at startup? In Notes from the Field #105, Ryan Adams explains why and what to do.
SQL SERVER – XEvents to Find Cardinality Estimation Issues
Is there a way to find cardinality estimation issues? I use the query_optimizer_estimate_cardinality XEvent to see how each operator’s estimate is derived.
SQL Server – T-SQL Enhancement “Drop if Exists” clause
Tired of IF OBJECT_ID checks before every DROP? SQL Server 2016 adds a T-SQL enhancement I wanted for years, the DROP IF EXISTS clause. Here is how it works.