A recap of this case of redundant indexes, from Jon and Mike’s basics to the demos where redundant indexes are useful with small and large result sets.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Configure Database Mail in SQL Server: SQL in Sixty Seconds #039
To configure Database Mail, you need an SMTP account, a profile and permission to use it. The tests here build all three with T-SQL on SQL Server 2025, show the exact errors for missing access, and follow a failed send through the mail log.
SQL SERVER – Introduction of Showplan Warning
SQL Server can be your performance tuning teacher. Vinod Kumar explains the Showplan Warning in execution plans and what each warning is telling you.
CONTEXT_INFO: Passing a Value Through a Session
CONTEXT_INFO lets you attach a small value to a session and read it anywhere in that session, even inside a trigger. This post tests SET CONTEXT_INFO on SQL Server 2025, uses it to log who changed a price, and compares it with SESSION_CONTEXT.
Making SSIS Packages Faster
Make SSIS packages faster by measuring each flow, using fast load, sizing buffers from row width, and replacing row-by-row work.
SQLCMD Mode in SSMS: Variables, :CONNECT and :r Includes
Use SQLCMD mode in SSMS for server and database variables, :CONNECT, :r include files, and an error-stop release script.
SQL SERVER – An Interesting Case of Redundant Indexes – Index on Col1, Col2 and Index on Col1, Col2, Col3 Part 3
Index on Col1, Col2 and index on Col1, Col2, Col3 Part 3: Jon and Mike ask if it is always best practice to drop redundant indexes. Here is a special case.
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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.

