What are hints in SQL Server and when should you use them? Understanding table hints with examples, plus a word of caution about overriding the optimizer.
SQL SERVER – Interesting Observation – Query Hint – FORCE ORDER
A junior developer used the FORCE ORDER query hint without knowing what it does. Here is how it works and how much this one hint can change performance.
SQL SERVER – Outer Join in Indexed View – Question to Readers
Why can’t you use an outer join in indexed view definitions? The SQL Server 2008 white paper answer, plus my question to you: can you show an example?
Joining Two History Tables at a Point in Time With FOR SYSTEM_TIME AS OF
Use FOR SYSTEM_TIME AS OF to join temporal tables at one UTC instant, compare range forms, and index the history lookup correctly.
SQL Server – Multiple CTE in One SELECT Statement Query
How do you use multiple CTE in one SELECT statement? Two simple examples: independent CTEs joined together, and a second CTE built on the first.
CROSS APPLY VALUES: Unpivot Fixed Columns and Preserve NULLs
CROSS APPLY VALUES can turn a fixed set of columns into rows without dropping their NULL values. I make any missing-value filter explicit. That keeps the reshaping step separate from the decision to exclude data.
SQL Server – Understanding Table Hints with Examples – 2
A plain guide to understanding table hints in SQL Server: the three kinds of hints, what NOLOCK really means, and a checklist before you use one.