Doing create catalog in SSMS failed with Error 911: database SSISDB does not exist. Here is how SQL Server Profiler showed me the real cause.
How Does TOP WITH TIES Work in SQL Server? – Interview Question of the Week #159
Question: How Does TOP WITH TIES Work in SQL Server?
Answer: This is an ancient question I just encountered in the recent Comprehensive Database Performance Health Check.
SQL SERVER – FIX: Msg 3009 – Could Not Insert a Backup or Restore History Detail Record in the MSDB Database
A backup finished but raised Msg 3009: could not insert a backup or restore history detail record in msdb. Here is why, with steps to reproduce it.
SQL SERVER – Incorrect Error: Unable to Add Filegroup – A Severe Error Occurred on the Current Command
A client with a huge partitioned database could not add filegroup and got Msg 0, a severe error. Here is how we found the real, much deeper issue.
SQL SERVER – Puzzle – Strange Behavior With Extra Comma in Create Table Statement
My favorite icebreaker puzzle: a strange behavior with an extra comma in CREATE TABLE statement. Why does SQL Server accept it for temp and regular tables?
SQL SERVER – Nested Triggers – Trigger Calling Another Trigger Error
A reader asked what happens when one trigger calls another. Here is a simple example with two AFTER INSERT triggers that shows how nested triggers behave.
How to Drop All the User Created Statistics by SQL Server? – Interview Question of the Week #158
SQL Server creates statistics on its own, but DBAs and the Tuning Advisor add more. Here is a script to drop all user Created Statistics safely.