Check index key size against the 900-byte clustered and 1,700-byte nonclustered limits, then narrow keys without losing query semantics.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Intelligent Query Processing: Checking What Is On per Database
Check intelligent query processing by database compatibility level, scoped switches, and actual plan evidence before comparing servers.
SQL SERVER – Selecting Random n Rows from a Table
To select random-looking n Rows, I can sort by NEWID and use TOP. A developer wanted ten AdventureWorks Product rows.
How to Escape a Single Quote in SQL Server? – Interview Question of the Week #192
How do you escape a single quote in SQL Server? A college student asked me at a Bangalore user group, a few people laughed, and here is the simple answer.
Inline Table-Valued Functions: Parameterized Views That Stay Fast
Compare inline table-valued functions with scalar functions, preserve customer results, and inspect plans before claiming performance gains.
SQL SERVER – Restoring SQL Server 2017 to SQL Server 2005 Using Generate Scripts
I used generate scripts for a historical SQL Server 2017-to-2005 migration. It was a logical migration rather than a backward backup restore.
SQL SERVER – Simple Method to Find FIRST and LAST Day of Current Date
I calculate the FIRST and LAST Day of Current Date using explicit date boundaries. The historical sample starts on October 28, 2017.
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.
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.

