SQL and .NET expert Kevin Mckenna, whom I met on Twitter, shows how to read SQL Server performance counters from system views.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Preventing Overbooking When Two Sessions Grab the Last Seat
Learn preventing overbooking through a last-seat race, an atomic update, update locks, and a database constraint that rejects oversold inventory.
SQL SERVER – Fix: Error 15372 Failed to generate a user instance of SQL Server due to a failure in starting the process for the user instance – The connection will be closed
Just a day ago, I was installing SQL Server Express on the backup computer. I found the solution for Error 15372.
Your First Extended Events Session
Build your first Extended Events session for slow SQL calls, choose a bounded ring buffer or file target, and read the captured result.
SQL SERVER – Order of Hotfix and Service Pack
What is the right order of hotfix and service pack installs? You do not need every older service pack. Install the latest service pack and hotfix and you are done.
Sending a Microsoft Teams Alert From a SQL Server Agent Job
Send a Teams alert from a failed SQL Server Agent job with a Workflows webhook, PowerShell, SQL Server 2025 REST calls, and mail fallback.
SQL SERVER – What is Interim Table – Simple Definition of Interim Table
What is an interim table? A simple question started a long debate on a call with developers. Here is my simple definition of interim table.
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 120 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.

