A reader asked if statistics are sampled by default. They are, and a one million row test table proves it. You can set the rate up to 100%.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – Create Primary Key with Specific Name when Creating Table
How do you create a primary key with specific name while creating the table itself? One CREATE TABLE statement can define and name the constraint.
When Are Statistics Updated? What Triggers an Automatic Update
Statistics updated automatically need two things: enough changed rows, and a query that uses the statistic. This post explains the old 500 plus 20 percent rule and the newer square root threshold, then shows a million-row demo where last_updated changes only after a query compiles. It also covers FULLSCAN, asynchronous updates and when to update by hand.
SQL SERVER – Find Max Worker Count using DMV – 32 Bit and 64 Bit
Does doubling the CPUs double the worker threads? No. Use sys.dm_os_sys_info to find Max Worker Count, and see the formula for 32 bit and 64 bit.
SQL SERVER – Find Most Active Database in SQL Server – DMV dm_io_virtual_file_stats
Reader Sreedhar shared a query on sys.dm_io_virtual_file_stats that finds the most active database by reads, writes and IO stalls, with file sizes.
Keeping Up With SQL Server Without Drowning
Make keeping up SQL Server knowledge manageable with release-note reviews, one deep topic each quarter, and a small record of relevant changes.
SQL SERVER – SELECT TOP Shortcut in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
Want a SELECT TOP shortcut in SSMS? Besides the right click Select Top 1000 menu, you can set up your own keyboard shortcut to see the top rows.
SQL Server slow? Let's fix it together in about four hours.
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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.

