Which estimator did SQL Server 2014 use? There are two ways to know the cardinality of executed query, starting with the execution plan properties.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
JSON_CONTAINS in SQL Server 2025: Searching Inside JSON Arrays
JSON_CONTAINS checks whether a JSON document holds a value at a path, including inside an array. This post tests it on SQL Server 2025: the json data type it needs, numbers versus text, case, NULL results and the older OPENJSON way.
SQL SERVER – CTRL + R Shortcut Does Not Work in SSMS
After a fresh SQL Server 2014 install, CTRL + R no longer hid the results pane in SSMS. These keyboard option steps got my shortcut working again.
SQL SERVER – Query to Find Seed Values, Increment Values and Current Identity Column Value of the Table with Max Value of Datatype – Part 2
Harsh improved the identity query from Part 1 so it also works when seed values or increment values are not 1. Here is his script.
SQL SERVER – Detecting Corruption with Suspect Pages Table – Notes from the Field #043
John Sterrett shows how the suspect pages table helps with detecting corruption, a tip worth learning even if your database has never been corrupted.
SQL SERVER – Query to Find Seed Values, Increment Values and Current Identity Column Value of the Table with Max Value of Datatype
Mark Hickin improved my old query, so it now shows seed, increment and current identity column value along with the max value of the datatype.
SQL SERVER – Fix Error 7202 Could not find server in sys.servers. Verify that the correct server name was specified
Error 7202 Could not find server in sys.servers shows up when you restore a database that uses a linked server. A quick linked server script fixes it.
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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.

