How do you check the ANSI compatibility of SQL Server queries? A client asked me this unique question, and the FIPS standard helps keep your code portable.
Many-to-Many Merge Join and the Worktable in STATISTICS IO
Diagnose a many-to-many merge join and its worktable, verify true uniqueness, and compare join choices without changing legitimate matches.
Splitting an Amount Across Rows Without Losing a Cent
Make splitting an amount preserve every cent by checking rounded shares, allocating weighted remainders, and documenting deterministic ties.
Plan Properties Window: Where the Useful Numbers Hide
The execution plan picture only shows the shape. The properties window shows what really happened, and I walk through it on a tiny example.
Does ARITHABORT Setting Negatively Impact SQL Server Performance? – Interview Question of the Week #220
Does the ARITHABORT setting hurt SQL Server performance? Yes, because with ARITHABORT OFF SQL Server can build a very different plan and queries may slow down.
Capturing Successful Logins With an Extended Events Session
A login event is a connection, not a user action. A small session shows how one query can leave three of them behind.
SQL SERVER – FIX: Install Error: A Network-Related or Instance-Specific Error Occurred While Establishing a Connection to SQL Server
A network-related or instance-specific error usually hits applications, but my client saw it during SQL Server installation. Here is how to fix it in that case.