Log shipping restore job failing because the file is too recent to apply to the secondary database? Here is what the LSN gap means and how to fix it.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – ColumnStore Frequently Asked Queries
ColumnStore frequently asked queries on troubleshooting performance: did the optimizer use the ColumnStore index, and if not, why? Trace flags, hints and more.
Interview Question of the Week #041 – What is a Merge Join?
Explain what is a merge join in the SQL Server engine, test ordered inputs and duplicates, and compare merge, hash, and nested loops plans.
SQL SERVER – Script Upgrade Mode on Failover – Why?
Why does SQL Server go into script upgrade mode on failover? A SQL Server 2008 R2 cluster did it after every move. Here is why and how to stop it.
The Milestone – Notes from the Field #100
The 100th episode of Notes from the Field is a true milestone. A thank you to the experts who shared real-world lessons with all of us.
Plan Guides: Fixing a Query You Cannot Change
Apply plan guides to a parameterized query you cannot edit, validate the guide, confirm plan matching, and compare Query Store hints.
SQL SERVER – Strange SQL Transaction called UpdateLoginStats
Profiler showed a SQL transaction called UpdateLoginStats before every Audit Login. The cause was the Common Criteria Compliance option I had turned on.
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.
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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.

