For years, String or binary data would be truncated never told us which column was too long. Now SQL Server does, and here is how to identify the column responsible.
How to Compile Queries and Not Execute Them? – Interview Question of the Week #219
How do you compile queries and not execute them? SET NOEXEC ON validates the syntax without running the statement, as this simple SSMS example shows.
Indexed Computed Columns: Speeding Up Code You Cannot Change
Use indexed computed columns to help fixed vendor queries on UPPER or CAST, while checking determinism and required SET options.
Async Statistics Updates: Stopping Queries From Stalling
Diagnose synchronous statistics refresh waits, enable async statistics updates, and judge when fresh estimates still matter more.






