Setup error 0x800F0831 broke an in-place upgrade from SQL Server 2014 to SQL Server 2016. It is the hex form of exit code -2146498511. The CBS log showed store corruption with a missing package, and installing that package fixed the upgrade.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Error 35296: Log Backup on Secondary Replica Fails in a Distributed Availability Group
Log backup on secondary replica fails with error 35296 when the replica sits in the secondary availability group of a distributed availability group. A client hit it on the fourth node of their topology. It is by design, so the backup has to run on a replica that talks to the global primary.
Filtered Statistics: Fixing Estimates for Skewed Data
Use filtered statistics to describe skewed customer values, inspect histograms, and test estimates under literal and parameterized queries.
Setup Error 1639: Invalid Command Line Argument in SQL Server
Setup error 1639 stopped my SQL Server 2019 install with an invalid command line argument message. The real clue was in the log: a component from an earlier incomplete install was still there. Uninstalling it with msiexec fixed the problem.
Fewest Logical Reads: The Answer to the Delete Qualified Rows Puzzle
The fewest logical reads for the multiple table delete puzzle come from reading each table as few times as the rules allow. A string of student IDs gets to 4 reads. A set based delete needs 5 and is the one to use. The starting script needed 19.
How to Remove Quotes of QUOTENAME? – Interview Question of the Week #235
Question: How to Remove Quotes of QUOTENAME? I received based on my yesterday’s blog post SQL SERVER – QUOTENAME Function and Custom Quote Character.
QUOTENAME Function: Custom Quote Characters and Dynamic SQL
The QUOTENAME function turns a name into a safe identifier and doubles any closing delimiter inside it. Tested queries show which quote characters work, the 128 character limit and a dynamic SQL example. A short card lists the rules.
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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.

