Michael Coles, co-author of Expert SQL Server 2008 Encryption, let me share his history of SQL Server database encryption, starting from SQL Server 2000.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Setting MAXDOP and Cost Threshold Sensibly
MAXDOP and cost threshold work together to shape parallel plans; inspect current values, test a change, and watch real workload effects.
SQL SERVER – Information Related to DATETIME and DATETIME2
A reader comment explains the precision issue between DATETIME and DATETIME2: values lose precision when converted between types. Here is the workaround.
SQL SERVER – FIX ERROR 3702 Cannot drop database “MyDBName” because it is currently in use
Error 3702: cannot drop database because it is currently in use. Set it to SINGLE_USER WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE, then drop it. Best kept for demo servers.
SQL SERVER – Reducing CXPACKET Wait Stats for High Transactional Database
Reducing CXPACKET wait stats on a high transactional database: what CXPACKET means, and when lowering the degree of parallelism really helps.
SQL SERVER – Get All the Information of Database using sys.databases
A handy script from Matteo that uses sys.databases to show plenty of database information, like status, data and log file counts and their sizes in MB.
CURRENT_DATE, || and Other Small T-SQL Changes in SQL Server 2025
Use CURRENT_DATE, string concatenation, optional SUBSTRING length and bigint DATEADD in SQL Server 2025 with clear examples and checks.
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.

