Explain database risk to managers by turning backups, patching, and capacity into clear impact, likelihood, cost, and action choices.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – Unique Nonclustered Index Creation with IGNORE_DUP_KEY = ON – A Transactional Behavior
When is IGNORE_DUP_KEY = ON useful? Jacob Sebastian and I built an example that shows its transactional behavior when you insert only nonduplicate rows.
SQL SERVER – SQL Server RDL Specification
The RDL Specification describes Report Definition Language, the XML schema behind SQL Server reports. I list the 2000, 2005 and 2008 versions.
SQL SERVER – Fix: Error: 262 : SHOWPLAN permission denied in database
My students got Msg 262, SHOWPLAN permission denied, when they tried to view an execution plan. One GRANT SHOWPLAN statement fixes it.
SQL SERVER – Unique Nonclustered Index Creation with IGNORE_DUP_KEY = ON
What does IGNORE_DUP_KEY = ON do on a unique nonclustered index? Duplicate inserts give a warning instead of an error, and my example shows both options.
SQLAuthority News – TechDays Session at Infosys Mysore 2009 – Change Data Capture and PowerPivot
Notes from my TechDays session at Infosys Mysore in December 2009, where I presented Change Data Capture and PowerPivot to a smart, curious crowd.
SQL SERVER – Find Location of Data File Using T-SQL
A short T-SQL script that finds where your SQL Server Data File folder is on disk, using master.sys.master_files. Handy when you forget where the files live.
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.

