Need one more column from a view? Joining table outside view is expensive, and changing the view adds network traffic for every query. Views limitation part 2.
SQL SERVER – Does Order of Column in WHERE Clause Matter?
Does the Order of Column in WHERE Clause change a query plan? I invite a runnable example with a controlled comparison.
Assessing a Database Before a Migration
Assessing a database before a migration covers features in use, compatibility, size, dependencies, and the evidence needed before a date is promised.
SQL SERVER – ORDER BY Does Not Work – Limitation of the Views Part 1
Why ORDER BY does not work in a view: the first limitation of views in my series, shown with an AdventureWorks example. Sort outside the view instead.
SQL SERVER – Function to Retrieve First Word of Sentence – String Operation
A friend asked for a UDF that returns only the first word of a sentence. Here is my script with CHARINDEX and SUBSTRING, and how to turn it into a function.
Negative Identity Seed and Negative Increment in SQL Server
A Negative Identity seed lets a column start below zero, and a negative increment makes it count down. This post tests IDENTITY(-1,-1) and IDENTITY(-2147483648,1) on SQL Server 2025, shows gaps after a rollback, DBCC CHECKIDENT, and what to do when an int identity runs out. It also shows SEQUENCE as the flexible alternative.
CROSS APPLY Aggregate: An Empty Input Can Still Return a Row
CROSS APPLY aggregate behavior depends on whether the right-side query actually produces a row. I inspect that query before assuming unmatched customers disappear. An aggregate without GROUP BY can return a row even when its input is empty.