I use COL_LENGTH to Check If a Column Exists in visible metadata. Conditional DROP instead performs a deletion.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – Session Counts by Database Are Not Lock Row Counts
Total Sessions and total lock rows answer different questions. My original query counted lock rows under a session label.
SQL SERVER – Rebuilding Index with Compression
To rebuild an Index with Compression, I target its own settings and partitions. Customer ROW and PAGE results need separate evaluation.
System Threads Outside Max Worker Threads in SQL Server
System threads outside max worker threads run background work that the setting does not limit, as the documentation says. This post counts the background tasks with two read-only queries and explains what that means for sizing the setting.
SQL SERVER – Types of Triggers
The types of triggers in SQL Server include DML, DDL and logon triggers. A customer requested this three-part summary.
SQL SERVER – How to Break Mirroring?
SET PARTNER OFF can break mirroring by permanently removing its relationship. I confirm the intended outcome before either command.
Trigger Blocks Index Maintenance: How to Let Rebuilds Pass
A trigger blocks index maintenance when it guards every index event, because a rebuild is an index event too. This post shows the failure, then a trigger that reads EVENTDATA and lets rebuilds through while it still blocks create, drop and disable.
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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.

