Compare Azure SQL Database with SQL Server, including jobs, cross-database access, monitoring, backup control, and operational responsibilities.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Getting SQL Server Data Into Power BI
Power BI can read SQL Server through Import or DirectQuery; stable views, folding, and workload checks keep the database responsive.
SQL SERVER – Check the Isolation Level with DBCC useroptions
What isolation level is your session using? Run DBCC useroptions to see it, along with dateformat, datefirst, language and other SET options.
Multi-Language Text: A Table Design for Translations
Multi-language text separates product identity from translated names. This test setup checks requested, fallback, and base names, Unicode text, duplicate tags, missing rows, and a precise blank policy.
ISNULL Versus COALESCE: Return Length Can Change
ISNULL versus COALESCE can preserve different string widths. Make the intended replacement type explicit before characters are truncated.
SQL SERVER – Simple Example of Snapshot Isolation – Reduce the Blocking Transactions
Snapshot Isolation has been in SQL Server since 2005, yet many shops still skip it. A simple example shows how it can reduce blocking transactions.
SQLAuthority News – Professional Development and Community
Hyderabad Techies asked me to open their 16-day online event, TECH THUNDERS, with a keynote. My first talk on Professional Development, in just 15 minutes.
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.

