SSMS can save your unsaved queries if it crashes, yet few people know the setting. Here is where to find Auto Recover under Tools, Options and why it matters.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Tally Table: Replacing WHILE Loops With a Set of Numbers
Use a tally table or GENERATE_SERIES to replace repeated date, character, and missing-number loops with ordered sets of rows.
SQL SERVER – Transfer Logins Error: Msg 15419: Supplied Parameter sid Should be Binary(16) – sp_help_revlogin
Moving logins with sp_help_revlogin, I hit Msg 15419: supplied parameter sid should be binary(16). Here is what causes it and how to fix the script.
Names That Differ Only by Case: Finding Them With COLLATE
A case-insensitive target can turn two rows into one. This walk-through finds the colliding names first, including the ones with trailing spaces.
SQL SERVER – Transfer Logins Error: Msg 15021: Invalid Value Given for Parameter Password
Moving logins with sp_help_revlogin failed with Msg 15021: invalid value given for parameter PASSWORD. Here is what was wrong with the hashed password.
Local Variable Estimates: Why the Density Vector Wins
Understand local variable estimates with skewed data, density calculations, parameter comparisons, and targeted OPTION RECOMPILE tests.
How Much Work Each Processor (CPU) is Doing in SQL Server? – Interview Question of the Week #178
A client with 56 processors saw CPU always high and wanted to know how busy each one was. Here is a simple DMV query that shows work per Processor (CPU).
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.

