Different methods to find the compatibility level of a database, from sp_helpdb to sp_dbcmptlevel, with a quick note on what the setting means.
SQL SERVER – Alternative to DBCC INPUTBUFFER – sys.dm_exec_input_buffer
DBCC INPUTBUFFER shows very little. In SQL Server 2016, the new sys.dm_exec_input_buffer function gives far more details about the last statement sent.
What does Keyword STATS Indicates in Backup Scripts in SQL Server? – Interview Question of the Week #138
Many DBAs add STATS to their Backup Scripts without knowing why. It prints percent complete messages while the backup runs. Here is how it works.
Rename MDF File Extension in SQL Server, Step by Step
To rename MDF file extension values safely, take the database offline, tell SQL Server the new file name, rename the file on disk, and bring the database online. This post walks through the four steps on a demo database. It also explains the RECOVERY_PENDING state you see when the two names don’t match.
SQL SERVER – How to Install SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) From Command Line?
Want to install SQL Server Management Studio silently from the command line, say with SCCM? Here is the one line batch command I shared with a reader.
Move the Master Database to a New Location in SQL Server
To move the master database, change its startup parameters in SQL Server Configuration Manager, stop SQL Server, move the files and start it again. This post explains why ALTER DATABASE can’t move master, reads the current paths with T-SQL, and lists the steps and the permission check that stops most failed moves. It also says what to do when the instance won’t start afterwards.
SQL SERVER – Error: 8509 – Import of Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MS DTC) transaction failed: 0x8004d00e(XACT_E_NOTRANSACTION)
A client’s JDBC XA transactions failed with Error 8509: import of MS DTC transaction failed (XACT_E_NOTRANSACTION). Here is what we checked and how we fixed it.