Yes.  If SQL Server encounters a deadlock, the detailed info. will get written to the log file. 

I think its a bit late to find out what processes contributed to your deadlock situation, but you can enable trace flags 1204 and 3604 so that you can capture...

Yes, as Sergiy suggests a view would be your best bet.  If you must continue with updating the count column there's no need for a cursor or a temp table. ...

Well, the reason for your query taking so long is because you've written a cursor to handle a task where it is clearly not needed.  This can be sped up...

I've mostly only worked with light backgrounds; however, when I was a UNIX admin, I would use a red background with white lettering for my production boxes.  This helped remind...

We've been using Red Gate for quite some time now (maybe forever now that I think about it) and it is a product that I use almost daily.  We are...

Hey, no arguement here.  I was just looking for an explanation on your position.  'Nuff said.

If the 2 queries create the same query plan and return the same results (which in this case they should), what does the system requirements have to do with it? ...

I prefer the second method over the first as the second method is the ANSI standard JOIN.  In looking at your second statement, your LEFT JOIN should be an INNER JOIN. ...

What security context is the job running under?  Does it have permissions to insert into your table?  I would set up a mock job to do a simple INSERT into...

It seems like we are missing part of the story here.  JC, there is obviously more code than what you've posted here.  Can you post your code?  What is happening...

Another thing Ryan, correlated sub queries are usually poor performers and can be re-written using JOINs or derived tables.  I would be careful with taking any approach involving correlated sub...

Just curious, but what is the purpose of UNIONing NULL values into your result set?

Well it appears that he just wants the last 3 orders by date for that specific customer and then wants to be able to UNION that in with another result...

JLK - you are absolutely correct.  I apologize for my hasty posting.  As I stated, I did not test the code I posted; moreover, I did really read it to...