Use IS DISTINCT FROM for NULL-safe comparisons in SQL Server 2022, understand older workarounds, and inspect index seeks before changing code.
SQL SERVER – Disk Space Monitoring – Detecting Low Disk Space on Server
A common question I get: how do you go about detecting low disk space on SQL Server? Here are two ways, including xp_fixeddrives, and the one I prefer.
A Crossword Helper in T-SQL: Matching Word Patterns With LIKE
Match word patterns with LIKE and SUBSTRING, build sorted-letter anagram signatures, and use a leading-letter index for crossword searches.
Adding System Versioning to a Table That Already Has Rows
Turning on temporal history for a table that already has data does not rebuild the past. Here is the clean way to do it, and the traps to avoid.
Rewriting OR Conditions So the Index Gets Used
Rewrite OR conditions with separate seeks, preserve duplicate and NULL behavior, and compare plans before choosing UNION or recompilation.
SSRS Parameters That Do Not Slow Reports
SSRS parameters work best with selective defaults, compact value lists, and SQL queries that preserve useful indexes under real filters.
Why DBCC SHRINKFILE Crawls and How to Watch Its Progress
Explain why DBCC SHRINKFILE can take hours, monitor percent_complete and waits, and use TRUNCATEONLY before small steps.