Pass a whole table into a stored procedure instead of forming and parsing XML. Here is why a table input parameter to stored procedure saves round trips.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Autocomplete and Code Formatting in SSMS: What Works Today
Autocomplete and code formatting save time and prevent mistakes when they are set up well. This post covers the IntelliSense features in SSMS, the reasons they stop working, a simple formatting style, and a tested look at what formatting changes in the plan cache.
JSON_ARRAYAGG and JSON_OBJECTAGG: Building JSON From Rows in SQL Server 2025
Build customer arrays with JSON_ARRAYAGG and settings objects with JSON_OBJECTAGG in SQL Server 2025, with explicit order and null rules.
SQL SERVER – Basic Explanation of SET LOCK_TIMEOUT – How to Not Wait on Locked Query
SET LOCK_TIMEOUT works at the connection level, like the NOWAIT hint does for a query. I show how setting it to 0 stops a query from waiting on a lock.
SQL Server Instance or Database: What Is the Difference?
A SQL Server instance is the engine and a database is one set of data inside it. What each level owns, why a login and a user are different objects, and which line to draw when you separate customers or teams.
Piecemeal Restore: Bringing the Primary Filegroup Online First
Rehearse a piecemeal restore that brings PRIMARY and current data online first, then restores archive filegroups with the right log chain.
SQL SERVER – Basic Explanation of Query Hint NOWAIT – How to Not Wait on Locked Query
Everybody knows NOLOCK, but not everyone knows NOWAIT. A question at a Bangalore User Group session led me to explain how NOWAIT skips waiting on a lock.
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.

