Avoid using NOLOCK on SQL Server UPDATE and DELETE statements
Occasionally I come across UPDATE and DELETE statements where the target SQL Server table is referenced with the NOLOCK hint. Does this hint help or hurt performance in this case?
SQL Saturday #269 - Exeter, UK
SQL Saturday is coming to Exeter on March 22, 2014. Join Red Gate's David Atkinson and the rest of the speakers at this free day of SQL Server training and networking, organized by SQL South West.
Geeky Entertainment
As a break from work, this week Steve Jones wants to know what you wish for. Are there comic book, science fiction, or technological thrillers you'd like to see made into movies?
See Grant Fritchey and Steve Jones at SQL Intersection
Come see Grant Fritchey and Steve Jones (from Red Gate Software) and many more SQL Server experts while you enjoy spring in Orlando, FL at SQL Intersection.
Calculating Gaps Between Overlapping Time Intervals in SQL
There are a number of real-life reporting tasks in SQL that require a 'gaps and islands' analysis. There are a number of techniques around that work, but finding ones that scale well makes for a tougher, but interesting, challenge.
Fixing CREATE TABLE
Steve Jones has a problem with the inconsistency of the CREATE TABLE statement in SQL Server and has an idea on what to do.
Identify the Backup used to Restore the Database
This article will help us identify the backup which was used to restore the database. This may seem simple when the database backup is from the same server but the complications begin when the backup is not from the same server.
DBAs Checklist for Designing and Reviewing SQL Server System Architectures
In this tip, Sadequl Hussain will try to list a few areas DBAs need to cover when they are designing new systems or reviewing proposed solutions.
Caching
A SQL Server database can easily be seen as a bottleneck as all data must be retrieved from a single machine. However a caching strategy in your application and alleviate load and improve performance.
Blogs
ISACA AI Material/Exam Prep Discount (May 18 – June 30, 2026)
By Brian Kelley
If you are considering any of the ISACA AI certs like the Advanced Artificial...
A Fabric solution can be very cost effective
By ChrisJenkins
Are you currently using Microsoft Fabric or considering migrating to it? If so, there...
Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log
By SQLPals
Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log If you...
Forums
Before Using AI with Business Data, Read This
Artificial intelligence tools are quickly becoming part of daily business operations, from document analysis...
Designing SQL Server ETL Pipelines That Don't Break at Scale
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Designing SQL Server ETL Pipelines...
Detecting Deadlocks Quickly
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Detecting Deadlocks Quickly
Question of the Day
Detecting Deadlocks Quickly
In the Database Engine, when a deadlock is detected, what does the detection interval shrink to (in time)?
See possible answers