SQL Server Blog Posts from Stedman Solutions
SQL Server Blog Posts
Welcome to the hub for all things SQL Server! Here, you’ll find the latest blog posts covering tips, tricks, and insights into SQL Server management, performance tuning, query optimization, and much more. Whether you’re a seasoned database administrator or just starting your journey with SQL Server, our blog is packed with valuable content to help you tackle real-world challenges and improve your skills.
At Stedman Solutions, we’re passionate about SQL Server and dedicated to sharing knowledge gained from over three decades of experience. Our blog posts cover a range of topics, including resolving database corruption, enhancing query performance, understanding T-SQL techniques, and leveraging tools like Database Health Monitor. Each article is written with a practical focus, offering solutions and advice you can apply directly to your SQL Server environment.
Take a moment to explore the latest posts below. Whether you’re here to solve a specific problem, learn about a new feature, or stay updated on best practices, you’re in the right place. If you find a topic that resonates with your current challenges, be sure to dive in—and feel free to contact us if you need personalized assistance or want to learn more about our SQL Server services.
Latest SQL Server Blog Posts
- sys.dm_exec_query_profiles: What the Row Counts Hide
What sys.dm_exec_query_profiles counts, what it misses, and the traps in reading it by hand, before you trust a query progress number. - Veterans Day Offer: Free Database Health Monitor Onboarding for Veterans
This Veterans Day, we are proud to recognize and honor the brave men and women who have served our country, including the dedicated Veterans who are part of our own team at Database Health Monitor. Their commitment, discipline, and expertise continue to strengthen both our mission and the broader SQL Server community. From November 11th… Read More »Veterans Day Offer: Free Database Health Monitor Onboarding for Veterans - ORM SQL Server Performance: Which Framework Is It?
ORM SQL Server performance problems hide behind one program name. Learn how to spot the framework, its Unicode parameters and its transactions, and fix them. - SQL Server Database Corruption: Prevention, Detection and Recovery Course
SQL Server Database Corruption can strike any organization without warning. Learn proven prevention, detection, and recovery strategies to protect your data. Database corruption can lead to halted operations, loss of data integrity, or complete data loss, disrupting business continuity and eroding customer trust. How prepared are you for such challenges, and what proactive steps can… Read More »SQL Server Database Corruption: Prevention, Detection and Recovery Course - Version 4.1869: Get Answers From Your SQL Server History Before the Auditor Asks
What Database Health Monitor 4.1869 means for the people accountable for SQL Server: monthly summaries, capacity dates, accountability reports and PDF output. - SQL Server Training Discounts: CTE Class, Aggregation for $3 and 50% Off Performance Tuning
Greetings, dedicated learners and passionate SQL Server enthusiasts! Time is of the essence as we near the conclusion of another productive week of training at Stedman Solutions LLC. We have been thrilled by your strong enthusiasm for mastering essential database skills and expanding your expertise in SQL Server through hands-on workshops and practical exercises. To… Read More »SQL Server Training Discounts: CTE Class, Aggregation for $3 and 50% Off Performance Tuning - SQL Server Performance Tuning Course – 50% Off for $149.99
Are you prepared to dramatically enhance your SQL Server’s performance and achieve faster query response times? If so, you’re in the right place! We’re excited to share an exclusive limited-time offer on our in-depth SQL Server Performance Tuning course, carefully designed to provide database professionals with practical skills and advanced knowledge. You’ll learn proven techniques… Read More »SQL Server Performance Tuning Course – 50% Off for $149.99 - Logical Reads Per Row: Which Query Reads Too Much?
Total reads rank the loud query, not the wasteful one. See how logical reads per row separates honest scans from lookups with a missing index. - SQL Aggregation and Window Functions Course for $3 (Limited Time)
Attention all SQL enthusiasts, data analysts, and database professionals seeking to elevate their skills! Our highly anticipated SQL Aggregation and Window Functions course in SQL Server is now available at an exclusive promotional price. For a limited time only, dive deep into the intricacies of advanced SQL querying techniques for just $3! This special offer… Read More »SQL Aggregation and Window Functions Course for $3 (Limited Time) - WRITELOG Wait: Slow Storage or One-Row Commits?
A WRITELOG wait has two opposite fixes: faster storage or batched commits. Here is how to tell which one your SQL Server needs before you spend anything. - Common Table Expressions (CTEs) in SQL Server: Comprehensive Course with Recursive Queries
Common Table Expressions (CTEs) are an integral feature in SQL Server, enabling developers to produce more organized, readable, and maintainable code for even the most demanding database projects. Recognizing their importance, we’ve invested over 9 years into curating a course that encompasses every facet of CTEs, from foundational concepts to advanced optimization patterns. Drawing from… Read More »Common Table Expressions (CTEs) in SQL Server: Comprehensive Course with Recursive Queries - Write Amplification SQL Server Table: What One Row Costs
Find the write amplification SQL Server table behind slow inserts and a growing log. See what one row costs in indexes, triggers and history, then fix it. - November SQL Server Deals: 40% Off Joins Class and $2 Output Clause Course
Act now because there’s only a limited window of opportunity to secure these incredible deals on our comprehensive SQL Server classes scheduled throughout November. These exclusive discounts won’t last long and will expire in just a few short days, paving the way for exciting new promotions that will be introduced shortly. Don’t miss your chance… Read More »November SQL Server Deals: 40% Off Joins Class and $2 Output Clause Course - If I Had 30 Minutes To Audit Your SQL Server Stedman SQL Podcast Sn 3 Ep 18
If I Had 30 Minutes To Audit Your SQL Server Stedman SQL Podcast Sn 3 Ep 18 If you had just 30 minutes to evaluate the health of a SQL Server, where would you start? In this episode, Steve Stedman and George Stedman walk through their real-world SQL Server health check process, sharing the most… Read More »If I Had 30 Minutes To Audit Your SQL Server Stedman SQL Podcast Sn 3 Ep 18 - The Everything SQL Server Class Bundle
Hello SQL enthusiasts and database professionals! Today, we are thrilled to spotlight our flagship class offering—the Everything SQL Server Bundle—a complete collection of expert-led courses designed to transform how you work with Microsoft SQL Server. Carefully curated for both aspiring beginners who want to master the fundamentals and seasoned pros seeking advanced techniques, this comprehensive… Read More »The Everything SQL Server Class Bundle - SQL Server Linked Servers: The Trust Nobody Reviews
Most SQL Server linked servers are created once and never reviewed. Here is how to find the dead ones, the duplicates and the wide open ones. - SQL Server OUTPUT Clause Class for $2 with Code OUTPUT2 – Auditing & Data Changes
The SQL Server OUTPUT clause helps you handle data modifications and track changes within your databases. Mastering this advanced feature can dramatically improve how you insert, update, and delete rows without requiring extra queries afterward. Right now, you can gain this expertise through a focused course available for only two dollars using the special code… Read More »SQL Server OUTPUT Clause Class for $2 with Code OUTPUT2 – Auditing & Data Changes - Version 4.1818: Put Your SQL Servers on the Wall and Catch Problems Before Users Do
What Database Health Monitor 4.1818 means for a team that runs SQL Server without a full time DBA: shared dashboards, a wall display, patch currency and plainer answers. - Master SQL Joins: 40% Off SQL Join Types Course with Code JOINSNOV
Mastering SQL joins is essential for anyone looking to write efficient queries and unlock the full power of relational databases. Whether you’re handling complex data relationships or optimizing performance, a solid grasp of these techniques can set you apart in your career. We’re excited to share an exclusive limited-time opportunity to deepen your skills with… Read More »Master SQL Joins: 40% Off SQL Join Types Course with Code JOINSNOV - November SQL Server Course Sale: 40% Off Deals & Flash SalesAs November rolls in, Stedman Solutions is once again opening the doors to exceptional savings on SQL Server training courses. This month-long SQL Server course sale brings together a range of discounts designed to help database professionals expand their skills without stretching their budgets. From weekly specials to time-limited flash sales, the lineup offers multiple… Read More »November SQL Server Course Sale: 40% Off Deals & Flash Sales
- Happy Halloween From Stedman Solutions
As the jack-o’-lanterns glow and the costumes come out, Halloween brings its share of thrills and chills. But here at Stedman Solutions, we’re declaring one thing off-limits for scares: SQL Server. That’s right—your databases don’t need to be spooky on October 31st, or any other day. Think about it. Ghosts in the machine? Haunting query… Read More »Happy Halloween From Stedman Solutions - TDE Certificate Backup: The Restore That Cannot Open
A TDE certificate backup that was never exported turns a restore on another server into an unreadable file. Here is how to check master in minutes. - SQL Server Patch Level: Which Servers Are Behind?
Nobody can say which servers are behind on cumulative updates without logging into each one. Here is how to read your SQL Server patch level in one grid. - Final Days to Seize October Special at Stedman Solutions!
For the month of October you will receive a free year of our SQL Server Daily Monitoring with the purchase of a SQL Server Assessment. Time is running out! There are only a few days left in October, which means you have a limited opportunity to benefit from our exclusive offer at Stedman Solutions. Purchase… Read More »Final Days to Seize October Special at Stedman Solutions! - Version 4.1796: Faster Answers and Fewer Slow Queries for Teams That Run SQL Server
What Database Health Monitor 4.1796 means for small teams: less guessing, better conversations with developers and vendors, and earlier warning on blocking. - Is Your SQL Server Security Score Hiding a Critical Fail?
A flat SQL Server security score hides the one failure that matters. See how weighting by severity puts the critical findings first. - SQL Server Connections by Database: Who Owns the Count?
SQL Server connections by database turns a baffling instance total into a named application, with pool limits, leaks and master slices explained. - TSQL Output Clause Course
The output clause is one of the wow factor query items, where when people see you use it the just go WOW, I did not know you could do that. I can remember working with a client and showing that to them and getting that same reaction of WOW. Have you seen our SQL short… Read More »TSQL Output Clause Course - SQL Server Connections by Database: Who Owns the Count?When the instance connection total jumps, SQL Server connections by database shows which application is holding them. Here is how to read the split.
- The SQL Login Nobody Remembers: Finding Accounts With the Password Policy Turned OffVendor installers leave behind SQL logins with CHECK_POLICY off, which means no complexity, no expiry and no lockout. Here is why they survive every review, what they cost, and how to fix them without breaking the application.
- Master Database Size: Read This Row Before the Megabytes
Is your master database size normal? Read the object count first, then the used and free split in each file, and only then the file size itself. - SQL Join Types Poster
Learn more about the Join Types poster. Compatible with SQL Server (TSQL) and MySQL. Check out the poster, it is a versatile, print-on-demand resource which you can customize according to your preference of size. This tool has been tailored to serve as a useful reference for both SQL Server developers and database administrators, simplifying the… Read More »SQL Join Types Poster - Availability Group Lag: What a Failover Would Cost You
Green in the dashboard does not mean safe to fail over. See how availability group lag turns into data loss and redo time, and where to measure each. - Empower Your Projects with our Skilled DBAs and Programmers: A Comprehensive Solution
With a technical team of 5 people with well over 100 years of combined experience we are available to help with your next project. Our team of highly experienced Database Administrators (DBAs) and programmers is uniquely qualified to support and elevate your projects. They bring an array of expertise to the table, each with their… Read More »Empower Your Projects with our Skilled DBAs and Programmers: A Comprehensive Solution - SQL Code Smells: Unindexed Range Predicates
When a query filters a large table on a range, like a date window, and no index supports that range, SQL Server scans the table. Put that scan inside a subquery that gets joined to other inputs, and a query that should take seconds can run for hours. In a recent case, one covering index… Read More »SQL Code Smells: Unindexed Range Predicates - SSRS Shared Dataset Report: What to Read First
Open an SSRS shared dataset report and the biggest number is the wrong place to look. Here is the order that finds broken reports and dead datasets. - Unlock the Full Potential of Your SQL Server with Stedman Solutions Managed Services
Unlock the Full Potential of Your SQL Server with Stedman Solutions’ Managed Services In today’s fast-paced world, your SQL Server database is more crucial than ever. It’s the powerhouse behind your most critical operations. That’s where Stedman Solutions, LLC, steps in. We offer flexible, fully managed services tailored to the unique demands of your SQL… Read More »Unlock the Full Potential of Your SQL Server with Stedman Solutions Managed Services - SQL Server Memory Usage: Where Did All the RAM Go?
Task Manager says SQL Server ate all the RAM. Here is how to read SQL Server memory usage as three nested layers and find the pressure that actually hurts. - SQL Server Query Slow When Busy? Find Out Which Kind
Is a SQL Server query slow when busy because of its plan or because of its neighbors? Compare quiet and busy Query Store intervals to find out in minutes. - Database Health Monitor Version 4 Instance Reports Stedman SQL Podcast Sn 3 Ep 17
Database Health Monitor Version 4 Instance Reports Stedman SQL Podcast Sn 3 Ep 17 In Season 3, Episode 17 of the Stedman SQL Server Podcast, Steve Stedman and George Stedman explore the powerful Instance Reports in Database Health Monitor Version 4, demonstrating how SQL Server DBAs and IT professionals can quickly identify performance bottlenecks, troubleshoot… Read More »Database Health Monitor Version 4 Instance Reports Stedman SQL Podcast Sn 3 Ep 17 - Deadlock Heat Map: Find the Hour Your Deadlocks Hit
A deadlock heat map shows which hour and day your SQL Server deadlocks cluster, so you can find the colliding job instead of guessing from one graph. - Query Store Stopped Collecting? How to Tell Fast
Query Store stopped collecting, and nothing told you. Here is how to prove whether the history behind your tuning reports is really there, and fix it. - SQL Server Backup Status: Beyond the Last Backup Date
SQL Server backup status is more than a last backup date. See how exposure, log chains and the restore sequence show what you would really lose. - Query Store Plan Instability: Why It Was Fast Yesterday
Query Store plan instability hides behind plans that cost the same. Here is how to measure how long a plan lasts and which queries keep flipping. - Which Hour of the Day Is Slower Than It Used to Be?
Which hour of the day is slower than it used to be? Sort Query Store history by hour and read each hour’s level and slope to find out. - SQL Server Overview: The DMVs Behind Every Number
A SQL Server overview is built from DMVs that reset, accumulate and exclude things. Here is what each number counts, and what it quietly leaves out. - Top 10 Techniques to Turbocharge Your SQL Server Performance
For the month of October you will receive a free year of our SQL Server Daily Monitoring with the purchase of a SQL Server Assessment. Top 10 Techniques to Turbocharge Your SQL Server Performance Understanding how to optimize your SQL Server performance is crucial for ensuring your applications and data-driven processes run smoothly. In this… Read More »Top 10 Techniques to Turbocharge Your SQL Server Performance - Three Quiet Failures Your Monitoring Probably Misses: Service Broker, Unprotected Columns and Analysis ServicesSome of the most costly SQL Server failures raise no error at all. Here are three of them, and how Database Health Monitor 4.1626 now finds each one.
- SQL Server Deadlock History: Find What Collides
A deadlock count tells you there is a problem. SQL Server deadlock history grouped by object and statement pair tells you what to change. Here is how to read it. - Daily Monitoring Product
A great way to keep tabs on the overall health of your SQL Server. Pricing: $129.99 per month per SQL Server instance when paid month to month. Payment on a recurring payment by credit card plan required. We provide monitoring tools that alert us when there is an issue so that we can recommend fixes… Read More »Daily Monitoring Product - SQL Server Triggers: What Fires When Your Table Is Written
A write that is slow, deadlocks, or corrupts rows may be hitting SQL Server triggers nobody remembers. Here is how to see what fires, and what to fix first. - Optimizing Efficiency and Security: The Power of an SQL Server Health Assessment
In today’s fast-paced technology landscape, businesses depend on efficient and secure data management to stay competitive. An SQL Server health assessment plays a crucial role in ensuring that your systems are running optimally, safeguarded from vulnerabilities, and prepared for future growth. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the importance of performing an SQL Server… Read More »Optimizing Efficiency and Security: The Power of an SQL Server Health Assessment - Full year of Daily SQL Monitoring FREE with purchase
October Special at Stedman Solutions: Receive a Year of Free SQL Server Monitoring! For a limited time this October, Stedman Solutions is excited to announce an unbeatable offer. When you purchase a SQL Server Assessment, we’ll provide a full year of our renowned SQL Server Daily Monitoring service at no additional cost. We can help!https://stedman.us/performance… Read More »Full year of Daily SQL Monitoring FREE with purchase - Reading the SQL Server Error Log Before It Reads You
The SQL Server error log holds the evidence for your last outage. Here is how to read archives, group the noise, and spot 825 and 18456 fast. - Common Reasons you may need to restore from backups
Our Backup and Restore Course is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of SQL Server backup strategies, restoration processes, and best practices. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced DBA, this course covers everything from simple database backups to advanced techniques like transaction log backups, point-in-time recovery, and disaster recovery planning. Learn how to… Read More »Common Reasons you may need to restore from backups - The Questions Your SQL Server Estate Could Not Answer Until Now: Cost, Licensing, Sensitive Data and Risk
Cost per database, unused Enterprise features, where personal data lives, whether servers can be consolidated, and what is about to run out. Database Health Monitor 4.1625 turns those days of manual digging into a report. - Datacenter failure, can you get your backups?
Our Backup and Restore Course is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of SQL Server backup strategies, restoration processes, and best practices. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced DBA, this course covers everything from simple database backups to advanced techniques like transaction log backups, point-in-time recovery, and disaster recovery planning. Learn how to… Read More »Datacenter failure, can you get your backups? - Why SQL Server CPU Pressure Isn’t What Task Manager Shows
Task Manager’s CPU percentage hides real CPU pressure. Learn which SQL Server counter shows it and what a healthy loaded server actually looks like. - What’s Really Driving Your ReportServer Database Size
ReportServer database size rarely grows from report definitions. See which tables, in the catalog and its temp database, actually reserve the space. - Are you ready to restore those backups?
In our data-driven world, having a reliable backup for your SQL Server data is just half the battle; knowing how to effectively recover that data is equally vital. Stedman’s SQL Server Backup and Recovery Course is designed to equip you with not just the skills to back up your data, but more importantly, to recover… Read More »Are you ready to restore those backups? - The SQL Server Residual Predicate Hiding in Your Plan
A SQL Server residual predicate lets an index seek report success while it reads and discards most of the rows it touched. Here’s how to find it. - What Is in Master, and What a Rebuild Would Lose
What is in master often surprises the team that has to rebuild it: credentials, triggers, and startup procedures nobody documented. - Azure SQL Health Monitor Stedman SQL Podcast Sn 3 Ep 15
Azure SQL Health Monitor Stedman SQL Podcast Sn 3 Ep 15 Join Steve Stedman and Mitchell Glasscock for Season 3, Episode 16 of the Stedman SQL Podcast as they introduce Azure SQL Health Monitor, a powerful new addition to Database Health Monitor Version 4. Discover how to identify Azure SQL performance bottlenecks, diagnose CPU and… Read More »Azure SQL Health Monitor Stedman SQL Podcast Sn 3 Ep 15 - What a 515-Bug-Fix Release Says About the SQL Server Estate You Cannot See
Database Health Monitor 4.1540 adds 63 reports, 25 features and 515 bug fixes. Here is what that release actually means for a consulting practice or an in-house team responsible for more SQL Server instances than they can watch by hand. - What Changed in the Query Plan Before It Got Slower
See what changed in the query plan the moment SQL Server switches to a new one, lane by lane, before you force the old plan back. - Who Gets SQL Server Email? Nobody Can Tell You
Who gets SQL Server email? Operators are only part of the answer. Learn how to find every address, the leavers and the dead mailboxes.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for exploring our SQL Server blog! We’re committed to providing fresh, relevant, and actionable content to help you navigate the complexities of SQL Server. From troubleshooting performance issues to mastering advanced features, our articles are designed to empower you with the knowledge you need to succeed. Whether you’re solving a specific problem or expanding your expertise, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
SQL Server is constantly evolving, and so are the challenges and opportunities that come with managing it. That’s why we frequently update our blog with new posts, insights, and tutorials. By staying engaged with our latest articles, you’ll gain an edge in understanding new features, identifying best practices, and applying innovative solutions in your SQL Server environment. We aim to keep you informed and ahead of the curve.
If you’ve found value in the content here, be sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly. With each new post, we strive to address the topics that matter most to SQL Server professionals, based on the real-world scenarios we encounter every day. Our goal is to create a resource you can rely on for timely, trustworthy, and practical SQL Server advice.
Don’t miss out on future updates! Whether it’s an in-depth guide, a quick tip, or a thought-provoking perspective, there’s always something new to discover. And if you have specific topics you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear from you. Keep checking back, and let us help you make the most of your SQL Server journey.