Use RESTORE FILELISTONLY to map backup files to local folders, restore a separate sample copy, and verify its data and log paths.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
hierarchyid IsDescendantOf: A Node Includes Itself
hierarchyid IsDescendantOf tests membership in a subtree, including its root. These literal paths keep both compared nodes visible and distinguish self from a strict descendant.
SQL SERVER – Solution – Challenge – Puzzle – Usage of FAST Hint
The solution to my puzzle on the usage of FAST hint: Brad Schulz shows an AdventureWorks example where the FAST hint really improves performance.
SQL SERVER – Puzzle – Error While Converting Money to Decimal
The answer to my puzzle on Converting Money to DECIMAL(5,2): why it fails with arithmetic overflow, and why DECIMAL(7,2) works, since precision includes scale.
When Auto Update Statistics Is Not Enough
Auto update statistics can miss important data patterns; inspect thresholds, ascending keys, sampling, and targeted update schedules.
CONCAT: Missing Inputs Produce Present Text
CONCAT builds display text from available inputs. Preserve missing-source flags when output alone cannot prove completeness.
Unpivoting Columns Into Rows With CROSS APPLY and VALUES
Use CROSS APPLY and VALUES for unpivoting columns, retain nulls deliberately, preserve labels, and turn paired fields into aligned rows.
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.