Build ordered comma lists with STRING_AGG and WITHIN GROUP, remove duplicates, handle nulls, and avoid fixed-length result limits.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – Converting Stored Procedure into Table Valued Function
Not every stored procedure should become a Table Valued Function. Here is which kind of SP qualifies, mainly one whose output you insert into another table.
High-Frequency Inserts Without Blocking
High-frequency inserts can stall on the log, indexes, or last-page contention; learn to diagnose the wait and choose targeted SQL Server fixes.
SQL SERVER – Cryptography in SQL Server 2008
A brief look at cryptography in SQL Server 2005 and 2008: why encryption belongs at the engine level, its effect on performance, and authentication basics.
SQL SERVER – Plan Caching and Schema Change – An Interesting Observation
What counts as a schema change for plan caching? More than table structure: adding or dropping an index also qualifies, per Greg Low’s white paper.
geometry STDimension: Count Dimensions, Not Points
geometry STDimension describes dimensionality rather than the number of coordinates. A mixed collection reports its highest-dimensional element.
Finding Databases Nobody Uses
Finding databases nobody uses requires index activity, connection samples, job searches, and owner evidence before an offline trial.
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.

