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 emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
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.
Error 17182: Unable to Initialize SSL Support in SQL Server
Error 17182 says the client and server do not possess a common algorithm. A client could not install SQL Server 2014 because the build did not support TLS 1.2. Switching protocols, patching and switching back fixed it.
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.
RID Lookups on Heaps vs Key Lookups on Clustered Tables
Compare RID lookups on heaps with clustered key lookups, inspect forwarded records, and test covering indexes with actual plans and reads.
ABORT_QUERY_EXECUTION: Stopping a Runaway Query With a Query Store Hint
ABORT_QUERY_EXECUTION is a SQL Server 2025 Query Store hint that makes one known bad query fail before it uses any CPU. This post sets the hint, shows the exact error the caller gets, lists and clears the hint, and covers the traps: exact text, SET options and queries already running.
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