Build a SQL Server home lab with free Developer software, sample data, and a repeatable backup and restore routine on your Windows computer.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Backing Up to Azure Blob Storage
Backing up to Azure blob storage with SQL Server requires scoped SAS credentials, block blob targets, tested striping, and a real restore drill.
Sizing nvarchar Columns: How Long Should a Name Be?
A name fits the web form but fails in the table. Measure real lengths in characters and bytes before you choose a size.
Watching Live Data With the XEvent Profiler
XEvent Profiler in SSMS offers live Standard and T-SQL event views; a focused Extended Events session serves repeat investigations.
SQL SERVER – Tools for Proactive DBAs – Central Management Server – Notes from the Field #024
Tools for proactive DBAs: after many AlwaysOn Availability Group projects, John Sterrett hears the same two questions and answers both in this Notes from the Field episode.
Running, Runnable, Suspended: The Life of a Query in sys.dm_exec_requests
Read running, runnable, and suspended SQL Server requests, inspect task states, and compare scheduler queues before diagnosing CPU pressure.
Loan Amortization Schedules With a Recursive CTE
Why does the last loan payment leave a few cents behind? A recursive CTE, a rounding rule and a final reconciliation fix it.
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.

