Large blobs can widen SQL Server access paths and backups; learn to separate payloads, avoid SELECT *, and measure off-row storage behavior.
SQL SERVER – Execution Plan – Estimated I/O Cost – Estimated CPU Cost – No Unit
What is estimated I/O cost, what is estimated CPU cost, and why do these costs in an execution plan have no unit? I answer these common training questions.
Preparing a Demo That Does Not Fail on Stage
Prepare a demo with scripts, clean resets, offline backup material, and a recovery route that keeps the lesson moving when a live step fails.
Opening a Microsoft Support Case: What to Gather First
Prepare a Microsoft support case with version details, a clear timeline, error logs, system_health, dumps, LogScout, and redaction notes.
Merge Subscription Initialization Without a Snapshot
Initializing a merge subscription without a snapshot requires more than matching table names. Prepare the schema, data and replication metadata, account for local changes and plan recovery for the actual replication topology.
Staying Current Without Chasing Every Update
Staying current on SQL Server takes a repeatable CU cadence, fast security response, and a patch policy your team can actually keep.
MERGE Statement Pitfalls
MERGE statement pitfalls include duplicate source keys, concurrency races, trigger surprises, and complex actions that deserve testing.