Statistics and the Ascending Key Problem
I’ve mentioned previously how not having up to date statistics can cause problems in query performance. This post looks at something called the Ascending Key Problem which can badly...
2021-02-09
184 reads
Matthew McGiffen DBA
What are Statistics in SQL Server?
Statistics are vitally important in allowing SQL Server to find the most efficient way to execute your queries. In this post we learn more about them, what they are...
2021-03-24 (first published: 2021-02-01)
403 reads
Rowcount estimates when there are no Statistics
When you don't have statistics, what does SQL use to calculate the estimated number of rows?
2021-02-04 (first published: 2021-01-26)
298 reads
When do Statistics get updated?
Statistics objects are important for allowing the SQL Server Optimizer to make good estimates and form efficient execution plans. Related to that it's useful for us to understand when...
2021-01-25 (first published: 2021-01-18)
504 reads
How does Query Store capture cross database queries?
Query Store is a configuration that is enabled per database, and the plans and stats for queries executed in that database are stored in the database itself. So what...
2021-01-18 (first published: 2021-01-11)
476 reads
Identify the (Top 20) most expensive queries across your SQL Server using Query Store
Script to identify the most expensive queries on your database server using the Query Store DMVs. This allows you to look at data from a specific time frame, as...
2021-01-11 (first published: 2021-01-04)
696 reads
SQL Puzzle – Eight Queens on a Chess board
Here's a SQL Puzzle for the festive period. 2020 has been a year of many things but amongst it all, it has been the year of chess. The combined...
2020-12-24 (first published: 2020-12-15)
538 reads
Introduction to SQL Server Query Store
Introduced with SQL 2016, Query Store was, probably without doubt, the most anticipated and talked out new feature. In this post we'll just take a brief look at it,...
2020-12-21 (first published: 2020-12-14)
936 reads
TDE in Standard Edition on SQL 2019
Recently Microsoft quietly let us know that TDE (Transparent Data Encryption) will be available in the Standard Edition of SQL Server 2019. If you don’t follow SQL topics on...
2019-11-12 (first published: 2019-11-05)
7,136 reads
Why Does Everyone Have More Friends Than You?
No, the answer isn’t because you’re a DBA. This isn’t a technical post about databases, but rather a discussion of a statistical paradox that I read about recently. Statistics...
2019-10-01
42 reads
Blogs
SQL Server sa Account Security: Rename, Disable & Best Practices
By SQLPals
SQL Server sa Account Security: Rename, Disable & Best Practices In...
Stanford Emerging Technology Review 2026 Report is out
By Brian Kelley
Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing are two areas of emerging technology that receive most...
How I Troubleshoot a Slow SQL Server Live
No two SQL Server environments are alike. A fix that resolves a performance issue...
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Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments Level 6 – Managing Changesets Over Time
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A Limited Startup
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Question of the Day
A Limited Startup
I add this parameter to SQL Server 2025 in the Configuration Manager:
-mDynamicsWhat does this do? See possible answers