TRY_CAST helps classify bounded integer text while preserving missing input separately. A prohibited int-to-xml request still needs error handling. A narrow text target can succeed while discarding characters.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Index Write Cost: What Each New Index Adds to an INSERT
Index write cost is the part of the create-an-index advice that the cartoon leaves out. This test inserts the same 20,000 rows with no extra index, one and three, and measures the log written each time. It also shows what the index saved on a lookup, so you can weigh both sides.
Star Schema Queries and How SQL Server Runs Them
Star schema queries join a large fact table to focused dimensions; learn bitmap filters, columnstore, and indexes that support the real workload.
Partitioning a Large Fact Table
Partitioning a large fact table can simplify loading and retention when boundaries, aligned indexes, and switch rules are designed together.
SQL SERVER – Quick Look at SQL Server Configuration for Performance Indications
Part two of my SQL Server Magazine series is a quick look at SQL Server configuration for performance and the settings I check first with new clients.
SQL SERVER – A Quick Note on DB_ID() and DB_NAME() – Get Current Database ID – Get Current Database Name
A quick note on DB_ID() and DB_NAME(): how to get current database name and ID, and how to turn a database ID into a name and back again.
Using Query Store to Prove an Upgrade Did Not Hurt
Plan a Query Store upgrade comparison with a captured baseline, matched workload periods, regression review, and carefully monitored plan forcing.
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.

