One WHERE clause cannot say ‘has a PC but no laptop’. Here are three queries that can, and the NULL trap.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Finding Databases With Auto Shrink or Auto Close Turned On
Find auto shrink and auto close settings, generate reviewed correction commands, inspect model, and check the effects of prior shrink work.
Azure SQL Database or Managed Instance
Azure SQL database or managed instance is a choice about compatibility, cross-database work, Agent, networking, and the cost of each service.
Running SQL Server on an Azure Virtual Machine
SQL Server on an Azure virtual machine keeps instance control while moving storage and hosting to Azure; learn disk, backup, and sizing checks.
Exponential Backoff: How SQL Server Estimates Several Filters
The plan guessed 89 rows and 500 came back. Here is the rule behind that guess, and what to do about it.
SQL SERVER – Finding the Last Backup for All Databases – Notes from the Field #016
When did you take your last database backup? Tim Radney shares a simple script that shows the last backup for all databases on a server.
Querying Nested JSON Arrays With OPENJSON
Query nested JSON arrays with OPENJSON, preserve element positions, pass inner arrays with AS JSON, and handle missing or strict paths.
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.

