Work with spatial data in SQL Server using geography, geometry, matching SRIDs, distance queries, and an index designed for location searches.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – Introduction to Extended Events – Finding Long Running Queries
After reading Jonathan Kehayias on Extended Events, I added them to my performance tuning course. An introduction, with a way to find long running queries.
Composite Index Without the Leading Key: Seek, Scan and Residual Filters
A composite index orders rows by its leading key before the next key. Compare a date-only filter, region restrictions and an isolated date-first index. Verify complete results, including new regions and NULL, before interpreting actual plans.
Error 4214: BACKUP LOG Needs a Full Backup First
Error 4214 stops a log backup because SQL Server has no full backup to build on. It shows up after a switch from Simple to Full recovery, or on a database that never had a full backup. Take one full backup, and the log backup works.
SQL SERVER – Generate Report for Index Physical Statistics – SSMS
SSMS has a standard report for Index Physical Statistics at the database level. Right click the database, open Reports, and see index details at a glance.
SQL SERVER – Out of the Box – Activity and Performance Reports from SSSMS
SSMS 2008 has built-in activity and Performance Reports most people never open. Right click the server, go to Reports, Standard Reports, and pick one.
SQL SERVER – Fix : Error : 8501 MSDTC on server is unavailable. Changed database context to publisherdatabase
Error 8501 says MSDTC on server is unavailable, often while configuring replication. Start the Distributed Transaction Coordinator service to fix it.
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.
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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.

