Enable optimized locking in SQL Server 2025 with ADR and RCSI, then compare lock counts and blocking while checking LAQ limits.
Making SSIS Packages Faster
Make SSIS packages faster by measuring each flow, using fast load, sizing buffers from row width, and replacing row-by-row work.
Performance Baseline in SQL Server: Measure Before You Tune
Build a performance baseline in SQL Server with saved waits, file latency, query CPU, and counters before judging a tuning change.
MERGE Performance for Large Upserts: UPDATE Then INSERT Instead
Is MERGE really slow, or did the rewrite just run on a quiet night? Here is a fair test you can run yourself.
SAMPLED vs DETAILED: Running index_physical_stats Safely
A misspelled table name quietly turns into a scan of everything. Here is the guard, and a fair comparison of the three scan modes on one small index.
Time Ago Labels: Showing ‘5 Minutes Ago’ From a Timestamp
Learn time ago labels in SQL Server with practical examples, clear checks, common traps, and guidance for your own database.
SARGable Date Filters: Stop Wrapping Columns in Functions
Write SARGable date filters as half-open ranges for years, months, days, and rolling windows, then compare plans and logical reads.