Tip : Connect to SQL Servers in another domain using Windows Authentication

Tip : Choosing Between SQL Server 2012 and SQL Server 2014

I take a closer look at the overhead of using Extended Events to track the creation of #temp tables.

I show how you can use Extended Events to track temp table creation and identify which session created which #temp table.

I describe the new SQL Server 2014 feature, Delayed Durability, and put it through its paces.

Tip : Get more info about failed logins using Extended Events

Tip : Enforce Database Naming Conventions Using DDL Triggers

Tip : Handle conversion between time zones in SQL Server – part 3

I perform some deeper testing on triggers, showing that INSTEAD OF triggers are worth a look.

Tip : Validate the contents of large dynamic SQL strings in SQL Server

I talk about SQL Server 2014 Standard Edition and a couple of little carrots that might make this upgrade more compelling than SQL Server 2012.

Tip : Handle conversion between time zones in SQL Server – part 2

Tip : Handle conversion between time zones in SQL Server – part 1

Tip : Avoid using NOLOCK on SQL Server UPDATE and DELETE statements

I revisit an old post and explores approaches to calculating the median across partitioned sets.

I follow up on a running totals post with an article describing different ways to achieve the same types of results for more complex grouping and aggregation.

I demonstrate how IDENT_CURRENT cannot be relied upon for reporting your new IDENTITY value, even under SERIALIZABLE.

I talk a little more about in-memory table-valued parameters, and explains why some scenarios you test may not demonstrate the power of this technology.

I explained how I justified purchasing a new Mac Pro, and show that it is very tough to order a comparable PC at similar price points.

Tip : Improve Efficiency by Switching to INSTEAD OF Triggers

I highlight a couple of potential problems discovered in various AdventureWorks-based In-Memory OLTP samples out there, and how to work around them.

After an initial look at in-memory TVPs at small scale proved promising, I take a closer look at trying to match more values against a much larger table.

I investigate a new possibility in SQL Server 2014: creating and using memory-optimized table-valued parameters.

I investigate a deadlock issue with alias types and table-valued parameters, and the Connect items that have sprung up about this issue.

Tip : Script to Set the SQL Server Database Default Schema For All Users

I discuss a common requirement, generating random numbers to serve as surrogate keys, and show how you can avoid the incremental cost of preventing collisions.

Tip : Generating Random Numbers in SQL Server Without Collisions

I investigate a case where two different methods of deriving an inline constant can lead to very different cardinality estimates.

I discuss a case where assumptions can lead to a poorly-performing query and where exploring other options can pay off.

I reflect on the presentation I gave during the PASS Performance VC Summer Performance Palooza 2013 on June 27th, including responses to Q & A.

Tip : Use UNPIVOT to dynamically normalize output

Tip : Use UNPIVOT operator to help normalize output

I explore a few additional places to get information useful for decisions about creating new indexes that are suggested as "missing" by various tools.

Tip : Extend DDL Triggers for more functionality: Part 2

I talk about a subtle way that ad hoc queries can interfere with SQL Server performance by taking up more space in the plan cache than they really need.

Tip : Extending SQL Server DDL Triggers for more functionality: Part 1

I go into a little more detail about what happens to metadata when you use schema transfers behind the scenes.

I discuss some obstacles he recently encountered when configuring an Availability Groups lab environment and how some assistance from the community helped me isolate and solve the issues.

I explore a couple of advantages and a hefty list of limitations with filtered indexes in SQL Server 2008 and above, with links to no less than 36 Connect items.

Microsoft announced today that their next two major releases, each of which contains a major performance-related feature, will follow a naming strategy similar to the 2008 -> 2008 R2 story. Read on for more…

I discuss ways to optimize large delete operations, both to make them faster, and to minimize impact on the transaction log.

See how you can protect your execution plans with a free PowerShell script from Jonathan Kehayias of SQLskills.

I had a great time at the MVP Summit last week. Caught up with a lot of friends, tried some new foods, and took in some great technical sessions.

There is an important MERGE "wrong results" bug, involving indexed views, that could be affecting your queries right now.

Tip : Move all SQL Server indexed views to a new filegroup

In part 3, I shift focus to generating sequences of dates.

In this installment, I talk about the next level of scale: generating sets of 50,000 and 1,000,000 numbers.

I discuss ways to generate a contiguous set of numbers from 1 to 1,000.