To create an index online in SQL Server, add WITH (ONLINE = ON) to CREATE INDEX, and writers keep working while the index builds. This post compares a plain build with an online build on a three million row table, measures what each one blocks and what the online build costs, and shows where it still waits.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Application Locks With sp_getapplock: One Job at a Time
Use sp_getapplock to serialize a job, compare transaction and session ownership, handle return codes, and inspect a two-session test.
Autogrowth Settings: Check Every Database File in SQL Server
To check autogrowth settings for every database file, read sys.master_files and turn its raw page counts into sizes you can judge. This post builds a demo database with three differently set files, reports the current size, the next growth step and the room left, and fixes the weak settings. It also explains why the same query can return no rows.
SQL SERVER 2019 – Supports Compatibility Level from 2008 to 2019
Compatibility Level from 2008 to 2019 requires separating database migration from engine upgrade support. SQL Server 2019 supports levels 100 through 150.
Missing Index Suggestions: Three Checks Before You Create One
Review missing index suggestions against existing indexes, key order, and INCLUDE size before adding extra write overhead.
SQL SERVER – Error 17182: Unable to Initialize SSL Support. The Client and Server Cannot Communicate, Because They do Not Possess a Common Algorithm
Unable to Initialize SSL Support. The client and server cannot communicate, because they do not possess a common algorithm
How to Write INNER JOIN Which is Actually CROSS JOIN? – Interview Question of the Week #250
Question: How to Write INNER JOIN Which is Actually CROSS JOIN?
Experienced this question another day while working with a client.
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Who We Are
Pinal Dave is an SQL Server Performance Tuning Expert and independent consultant with over 24 years of hands-on experience. He holds a Masters of Science degree and numerous database certifications.
Pinal has authored 19 books and 125 Pluralsight courses. To freely share his knowledge and help others build their expertise, Pinal has also written more than 5,800 database tech articles on his blog at https://blog.sqlauthority.com.
Pinal is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1) and CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2).
Nupur Dave is a social media enthusiast and an independent consultant. She primarily focuses on the database domain, helping clients build short and long-term multi-channel campaigns to drive leads for their sales pipeline.
Shaivi Pinalkumar Dave is a book author and a women’s artistic gymnast.

