Handling time zones in SQL Server means storing an instant, converting with AT TIME ZONE, and testing daylight saving gaps.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Keyset Pagination: Next and Previous Pages Without OFFSET
Build keyset pagination with a matching index, unique tie breaker, next and previous queries, and a fair deep-page comparison with OFFSET.
ASCII Versus UNICODE: Inspect the First Character
ASCII versus UNICODE asks different representation questions. Compare a first UTF-8 byte with a code point while preserving the complete input.
Explaining a Query Plan to a Developer
Explaining a query plan starts with the costly work, checks estimates against actual rows, and turns findings into a clear code decision.
Finding Unused Indexes
Finding unused indexes requires a measured window, SQL Server usage counters, and a safe removal test before an index earns a drop decision.
SQLAuthority News – First Birthday of Blog – 365 Post in One Year
Today is the first birthday of this blog: 365 posts in one year, one a day. Thank you to my readers, my family and SQL Server Magazine.
SQL SERVER – Importance of Master Database for SQL Server Startup
I have received following questions. I will list all the questions here and answer them together.
What is the purpose of Master database?
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.

