SQL Server is a powerful relational database management system that is widely used in the industry. Over the years, SQLAuthority.com has published numerous articles covering various aspects of SQL Server. In this blog post, we will highlight some of the most popular and interesting articles from the SQLAuthority.com archives.

Query to Find the Biggest Table in the Database

In this article, the author shares a simple yet powerful query to find the number of rows, columns, and byte size for each table in the current database. This query has been highly sought after by readers and has generated a lot of discussion.

Introduction and Explanation to SYNONYM

Synonyms are an important concept in SQL Server, yet they are often underutilized. This article provides a comprehensive explanation of synonyms and their significance, especially during database migration.

Export Data From SQL Server to Microsoft Excel Datasheet

While inserting data into SQL Server is a common task, there are also scenarios where we need to export data from SQL Server. This article discusses the process of exporting data to Microsoft Excel and provides insights into this concept.

Execute Same Query and Statement Multiple Times Using Command GO

Have you ever wondered how to execute the same code multiple times without copying and pasting it repeatedly? This article introduces the “GO” command and explains how it can be used to execute the same query or statement multiple times in succession.

Display Fragmentation Information of Data and Indexes of Database Table

Indexes play a crucial role in performance tuning, but they can also cause issues if not properly managed. This article delves into the topic of index fragmentation and provides guidance on how to identify and address fragmentation in SQL Server.

Reclaim Space After Dropping Variable-Length Columns Using DBCC CLEANTABLE

When dropping variable-length columns in SQL Server, the space they occupied is not automatically reclaimed. This article explores the use of the DBCC CLEANTABLE command to manually reclaim space after dropping variable-length columns.

Change Compatibility Level – T-SQL Procedure

Upgrading SQL Server is a critical task, and it is essential to ensure that the database is running in the correct compatibility mode. This article discusses the importance of changing the compatibility level and provides a T-SQL procedure to facilitate the process.

Interesting Observation – Using sqlcmd From SSMS Query Editor

Did you know that you can run sqlcmd from SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)? This article highlights an interesting observation about the order of execution when using sqlcmd from the SSMS query editor.

Find Currently Running Query – T-SQL

Monitoring currently running queries is a common requirement for database administrators. This article presents a T-SQL script that allows you to identify the queries currently being executed by the SQL Server.

sqlcmd – Using a Dedicated Administrator Connection to Kill Currently Running Query

In situations where a long-running or resource-intensive query is causing SQL Server to become unresponsive, the sqlcmd utility can be used to connect to the server from another computer and terminate the offending query. This article explains how to leverage the dedicated administrator connection (DAC) to accomplish this task.

Unique Nonclustered Index Creation with IGNORE_DUP_KEY = ON – A Transactional Behavior

When dealing with INSERT and TRANSACTION operations, the IGNORE_DUP_KEY option can be used to insert only non-duplicate values into a table. This article demonstrates the transactional behavior of this feature through a practical example.

Master Database Log File Grew Too Big

Encountering unexpected issues with the master database can be puzzling. This article shares an interesting story about a situation where the master database’s log file grew excessively, despite no active operations. The author provides insights into the investigation and resolution of this issue.

Performance Tuning Resolution

This article covers various aspects of SQL Server performance tuning, including understanding performance tuning at a deeper level, going beyond basic business intelligence (BI) understanding, and exploring new features introduced in SQL Server 2012.

DMV – sys.dm_exec_query_optimizer_info – Statistics of Optimizer

SQL Server provides a wealth of information through Dynamic Management Views (DMVs). This article focuses on the sys.dm_exec_query_optimizer_info DMV, which stores statistics about the query optimizer. Understanding these statistics can help improve server performance.

Get File Statistics Using fn_virtualfilestats

Have you ever wondered which database or file is causing the most IO activity in your SQL Server? This article introduces the fn_virtualfilestats function, which allows you to retrieve file-level statistics and gain insights into the workload distribution across your databases.

These are just a few of the many informative articles available on SQLAuthority.com. We hope you find them helpful in your SQL Server journey. Let us know which article resonates with you the most or if you have any specific topics you would like us to cover in future articles.