DBCC INPUTBUFFER shows very little. In SQL Server 2016, the new sys.dm_exec_input_buffer function gives far more details about the last statement sent.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
What does Keyword STATS Indicates in Backup Scripts in SQL Server? – Interview Question of the Week #138
Many DBAs add STATS to their Backup Scripts without knowing why. It prints percent complete messages while the backup runs. Here is how it works.
Rename MDF File Extension in SQL Server, Step by Step
To rename MDF file extension values safely, take the database offline, tell SQL Server the new file name, rename the file on disk, and bring the database online. This post walks through the four steps on a demo database. It also explains the RECOVERY_PENDING state you see when the two names don’t match.
SQL SERVER – How to Install SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) From Command Line?
Want to install SQL Server Management Studio silently from the command line, say with SCCM? Here is the one line batch command I shared with a reader.
Move the Master Database to a New Location in SQL Server
To move the master database, change its startup parameters in SQL Server Configuration Manager, stop SQL Server, move the files and start it again. This post explains why ALTER DATABASE can’t move master, reads the current paths with T-SQL, and lists the steps and the permission check that stops most failed moves. It also says what to do when the instance won’t start afterwards.
SQL SERVER – Error: 8509 – Import of Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MS DTC) transaction failed: 0x8004d00e(XACT_E_NOTRANSACTION)
A client’s JDBC XA transactions failed with Error 8509: import of MS DTC transaction failed (XACT_E_NOTRANSACTION). Here is what we checked and how we fixed it.
Wait Stats Collection Script for Current SQL Server Versions
A wait stats collection script saves snapshots of sys.dm_os_wait_stats into a table, so you can compare two snapshots instead of reading totals since the last restart. This post builds the tables and a snapshot procedure, creates a small load, and reports the change with a category for each wait. It also covers idle waits, restarts and retention.
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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.

