Use realistic data and workload tests to evaluate a database, checking correctness, latency, recovery, compatibility, and the full operating cost.
SQL SERVER – Beginning of SQL Server Architecture – Terminology
Beginning SQL Server Architecture: my friend Anil Kumar explains the basic terms and the main parts, the Relational Engine, Storage Engine and SQL OS.
SQL SERVER – A Brief Note on SET TEXTSIZE
Is there any difference between the LEFT function and SET TEXTSIZE? A quick script shows how each one trims a long VARCHAR(MAX) value in the results.
What to Collect When SQL Server Is Slow
Collect SQL Server diagnostic data in a useful order: waits, active requests, blockers, execution plans, and file IO during the slow period.
SQL SERVER – Color Coding SQL Server Management Studio Status Bar – SQL in Sixty Seconds #023 – Video
Color code the SQL Server Management Studio status bar so you always know which server you are on before you run a script. A quick video.
Non-Updating Updates: Skipping Rows That Would Not Change
An UPDATE that writes the same value still marks the row as modified. I show how IS DISTINCT FROM skips those rows and keeps NULL changes.
SQL SERVER – Curious Case of Disappearing Rows – ON UPDATE CASCADE and ON DELETE CASCADE – Part 1 of 2
Rows kept vanishing from a product table with no DELETE anywhere in the code. Part 1 of a puzzle that leads to ON UPDATE CASCADE and ON DELETE CASCADE.