An estimated plan for code that fills a temp table guesses one row for every read of that table. This post compares the estimated plan and the actual plan on SQL Server 2025, shows where the numbers split, and explains when to trust each one.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Sequence Project and Segment: How Window Functions Show Up in a Plan
A window function leaves Segment and Sequence Project operators in a query plan, and a Sort in front of them. This post tests ROW_NUMBER and a running total on SQL Server 2025, shows the batch mode Window Aggregate that replaces them, and removes the Sort with an index.
The Filter Operator: When SQL Server Reads Everything and Keeps a Few Rows
The Filter operator keeps a few rows after the plan has read and sorted many more. This post shows one on SQL Server 2025 with the actual plan and the logical reads, then rewrites the query so it seeks instead and reads about a fifth as many pages.
UTF-8 Collations in SQL Server 2019: When They Save Space
Compare UTF-8 collations with NVARCHAR storage for English, European, and Asian text before converting indexes or clients.
Capture Query Plans With Extended Events: A Safe, Scoped Session
To capture query plans without guessing, use an Extended Events session scoped to one database and a duration threshold. This post builds one on SQL Server 2025, reads the captured actual plan, and measures why plan capture must be switched on briefly and then off.
How to Use GOTO command in SQL Server? – Interview Question of the Week #249
Question: How to Use GOTO command in SQL Server?
Answer: Let us see a simple example of how GOTO works in SQL Server in this blog post.
RETURN Statement in a Stored Procedure: Exit Early
The RETURN statement ends a stored procedure at once and hands back one integer status code. This post builds a small demo, shows how to read the code, stops a procedure after a chosen step, and tests what RETURN does with NULL, text, open transactions and errors.
SQL Server slow? Let's fix it together in about four hours.
In my Comprehensive Database Performance Health Check, you share your screen, I guide you, and we fix your biggest performance troublemakers. No passwords. No remote access.
You keep every script, and the know-how to fix it yourself next time.
Want your whole team to learn it?
My Practical Workshop has no PowerPoint, just live demos. My AI Enablement Workshop shows your team where AI saves hours, and where it quietly costs them.
Over 400 customers have worked with me this way, and not one shared a password. See all consulting options.