How to create multiple filegroup for a single database, both for a new database and an existing one, using T-SQL as well as SSMS.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – Difference Between Candidate Keys and Primary Key
What is the difference between a candidate key and a primary key? A table can have many candidate keys, but only one of them becomes the primary key.
APPROX_COUNT_DISTINCT in SQL Server: Saves Memory, Not Time
APPROX_COUNT_DISTINCT counts distinct values with almost no memory. Tested on 5 million rows, it was within 2.2 percent of the exact count and needed no memory grant, while COUNT(DISTINCT) asked for 436 MB. It was not faster.
SQL SERVER – Fix : Error : SQLDUMPER library failed initialization. Your installation is either corrupt or has been tampered with. Please uninstall then re-run setup to correct to correct this problem. in a modal dialog with the title SQL Writer
SQLDUMPER library failed initialization in a SQL Writer dialog does not mean you must reinstall SQL Server. Remove SQL Server VSS Writer and reboot.
SQL SERVER – Interesting Observation of Logon Trigger On All Servers
I created a Logon Trigger to audit every successful login for a client, and one login was recorded several times on different threads. The script and what I saw.
SQL SERVER – Find Hostname and Current Logged In User Name
Connected to many servers in SSMS? HOST_NAME() and SUSER_NAME() show the hostname and current logged in user for any query window.
Reading System Procedures With OBJECT_DEFINITION
Use OBJECT_DEFINITION and sys.system_sql_modules to read visible SQL Server system procedure text and learn how built-in tools work.
SQL Server slow? Let's fix it together in about four hours.
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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.

