Page Contention on TempDB needs an identified allocation wait and server version. I check both before recommending legacy trace flags.
Slowly Changing Dimensions in Plain T-SQL
Slowly changing dimensions need explicit Type 1 and Type 2 rules; use T-SQL updates and inserts with tests for history and overlap.
Loading a Fact Table Without Blocking Reports
Loading a fact table without blocking reports calls for isolated staging, aligned partition switching, short locks, and a tested reader path.
SQL SERVER – Shrinking Database is Bad – Increases Fragmentation – Reduces Performance
Shrinking database is bad: it increases fragmentation and reduces performance. Here is a simple example with two tables that shows it step by step.
TRY_CAST: Parse Failure and Prohibited Conversion
TRY_CAST helps classify bounded integer text while preserving missing input separately. A prohibited int-to-xml request still needs error handling. A narrow text target can succeed while discarding characters.
Star Schema Queries and How SQL Server Runs Them
Star schema queries join a large fact table to focused dimensions; learn bitmap filters, columnstore, and indexes that support the real workload.
Partitioning a Large Fact Table
Partitioning a large fact table can simplify loading and retention when boundaries, aligned indexes, and switch rules are designed together.