Understand entity-attribute-value query costs, lost types, indexing limits, and alternatives using real columns, sparse columns, or JSON.
How Much Space Does a NULL Take? NULL Storage in Rows
Measure NULL storage in ordinary rows, compare fixed and variable columns, inspect record size, and test sparse and compressed designs.
Documenting Computed Columns: Definitions, Persistence and Determinism
A column that says decimal(21,2) hides how it gets its value. Pull the formula, persistence, precision and index use from the catalog, and script it so it can be rebuilt.
SQL SERVER – Puzzle – Why does sp_spaceused Show No Values?
Why does sp_spaceused show no values for a table that clearly has rows? It stumped me for 10 minutes. Here is the puzzle, try it before reading on.
SQL SERVER – Performance Benefit of Using SPARSE Columns?
What is the performance benefit of using SPARSE columns? From a SaaS consulting assignment, here are the considerations I shared with the developers.
SQL SERVER – Inserting into Sparse Column Sets and Errors Associated With It
You can write to sparse column sets directly, not just read them. I show how to insert into column sets and the errors you hit without an explicit column list.
SQL SERVER – Errors and Limitations of Working with SPARSE Columns in SQL Server
What is the catch with SPARSE columns? After a question at SQLBangalore UG, here are the errors and limitations of working with SPARSE columns.