Build a sample data set with realistic keys, skew, NULLs, and repeatable generation when a downloaded sample misses the lesson.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Keeping Large Blobs Out of Your Main Tables
Large blobs can widen SQL Server access paths and backups; learn to separate payloads, avoid SELECT *, and measure off-row storage behavior.
SQL SERVER – Execution Plan – Estimated I/O Cost – Estimated CPU Cost – No Unit
What is estimated I/O cost, what is estimated CPU cost, and why do these costs in an execution plan have no unit? I answer these common training questions.
Preparing a Demo That Does Not Fail on Stage
Prepare a demo with scripts, clean resets, offline backup material, and a recovery route that keeps the lesson moving when a live step fails.
Opening a Microsoft Support Case: What to Gather First
Prepare a Microsoft support case with version details, a clear timeline, error logs, system_health, dumps, LogScout, and redaction notes.
SQL SERVER – SSMS Query Command(s) completed successfully without ANY Results
A friend’s SSMS window returned only Command(s) completed successfully for every query. I logged in remotely and found what was wrong with that session.
SQL SERVER – DMV Error: FIX: Error: Msg 297, Level 16 The user does not have permission to perform this action
Msg 297 appears when a user runs a DMV without the right permission. Ask your admin to GRANT VIEW SERVER STATE, and the DMV runs without errors.
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.

