Conditional COUNT includes zero when CASE returns it. I compare an omitted ELSE with a zero branch before aggregating. A no-match group and an empty input expose the difference from SUM.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – Change Compatibility Level – T-SQL Procedure
The safe way to change compatibility level in SQL Server 2005: single user mode, sp_dbcmptlevel, then multi user again, and how to check it.
SQL SERVER – Reclaim Space After Dropping Variable – Length Columns Using DBCC CLEANTABLE
DBCC CLEANTABLE can reclaim selected space left after dropping variable-length columns. I distinguish that table operation from shrinking a database file.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – Display Fragmentation Information of Data and Indexes of Database Table
How do you find Fragmentation Information for a table in SQL Server 2005? DBCC SHOWCONTIG has limits, so I use sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats instead.
SQL SERVER – Execute Same Query and Statement Multiple Times Using Command GO
Need to run the same statement several times without copy and paste? Put a number after the command GO, like GO 5, and SQL Server runs the batch that many times.
Matching Two Customer Lists When Names and Emails Are Messy
Clean the text, climb from safe rules to fuzzy ones, and keep one best answer per subscriber. A ladder of joins you can paste into SSMS today.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – Introduction and Explanation to SYNONYM – Helpful T-SQL Feature for Developer
SQL Server 2005 added SYNONYM, a single-part name that replaces a long four part object name. I explain how it saves typing and shields code from changes.
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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.

