EXISTS answers whether qualifying rows exist. Keep missing values separate from missing rows and preserve the intended correlation.
OUTPUT INTO: Record Old and New Values in One Write
OUTPUT INTO records old and new values during a write, while the transaction determines whether the change survives. Test NULL transitions, unchanged values, rollback and target failures before treating captured rows as committed history.
Using Query Store to Prove an Upgrade Did Not Hurt
Plan a Query Store upgrade comparison with a captured baseline, matched workload periods, regression review, and carefully monitored plan forcing.
Restoring to a Newer SQL Server Is a One-Way Trip
Plan a restore to newer SQL Server with the version boundary in mind, preserve the original backup, and understand options for moving data back.
How to Check Your SQL Server Version, Edition and Patch Level
Check your SQL Server version, edition and patch level with one query. How to read the build number, why ProductLevel still says RTM on a patched server, and the edition surprise a health check finds most often.
SQL SERVER – What the Business Says Is Not What the Business Wants
Let us discuss about What the Business Says Is Not What the Business Wants. Steve raised a very interesting question.
SQL SERVER – Activity Monitor and Performance Issue
A small story with a big moral about Activity Monitor and performance issue: a client left the tool open, and the monitor itself slowed the server down.