SQL Server Encryption keeps stolen data unreadable. Learn the three level encryption hierarchy, then follow a symmetric key encryption tutorial with the script.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQLAuthority News – Starting the SQL Journey – How Did I Get Started With SQL?
SQL Expert Jorge Segarra (@SQLChicken) tagged me with one question: how did I get started with SQL? Here is the story of my SQL journey.
SQL SERVER – List All the Tables for All Databases Using System Tables
A one line script with sp_msforeachdb and sys.tables to list all the tables for all databases on a server, updated with ideas from reader comments.
SQLAuthority News – Interview of Author on 60 Seconds with Pinal Dave
Vijaya Kadiyala interviewed me for his quick series 60 Seconds with Pinal Dave, about my MVP journey and summit experience. Read the interview on his blog.
SQL SERVER – Leading Zero to Number
Readers keep asking how to add a leading zero to a number. Here are my two earlier articles that pad a number with zeros for a fixed width display.
LAG IGNORE NULLS: Read the Previous Available Value
LAG IGNORE NULLS reads the previous non-NULL value within an ordered partition. These examples distinguish skipped rows, missing previous values and the supplied default.
Decimal Division: Inspect Precision Before the Final Cast
Decimal division derives its own precision and scale before your final cast. Compare wide and bounded inputs, then test rounding and valid numeric ranges.
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.

