Month: June 2013

The Elephant and the Mouse, or, Parameter Sniffing in SQL Server

Last Updated May 14, 2026

Imagine you work for a zoo, and you need to ship an animal to another zoo. If you are told one will be a mouse and one will be an elephant, you will need to handle them differently. Elephants get moved by truck, while mice can be put in a box and driven or flown. I’ll…

New DMVs in SQL Server 2014 CTP1

Last Updated June 25, 2013

Brent Ozar

SQL Server

When you download and start playing with SQL Server 2014 CTP1, here’s a few of the new instrumentation tables and views: New Internal Tables plan_persist_context_settings plan_persist_plan – Hey, lookie there! Implies that we can persist execution plans beyond a SQL Server service restart. plan_persist_query plan_persist_query_text plan_persist_runtime_stats plan_persist_runtime_stats_interval New Views column_store_row_groups dm_db_merge_requests dm_db_xtp_checkpoint – Note that both…

Optimize for… Mediocre?

Last Updated May 26, 2020

Kendra Little

Parameter Sniffing, SQL Server

Some query hints sound too good to be true. And, unfortunately, usually they aren’t quite as magical as they might seem. Frustration with unpredictable execution times People often learn about parameter sniffing when query execution times stop being predictable. Occasionally you’ll hear about a stored procedure taking much longer than normal, but the next time…

Sample SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) Job Descriptions

Last Updated June 5, 2017

Brent Ozar

Interviewing, Professional Development

Hiring a DBA? Need to get a job description for the human resources folks? Here’s how to get started. First, decide whether it’s a production or development DBA. Think of the database in terms of a fridge. When you run a restaurant, you need at least one (and probably several) refrigerators to keep your raw ingredients…

The Index Your Queries will Never Request (A Clustered Index!)

Last Updated April 10, 2017

Kendra Little

Indexing, SQL Server

When it comes to indexes, SQL Server is really helpful. It lets you see what indexes queries are asking for both in execution plans, and missing index dynamic management views (“DMVs”). I like to look at the DMV missing index requests using sp_BlitzIndex®. When you look at missing index requests, it’s always important to remember…

The @DBAreactions Guide to Database Administration [Video]

Last Updated June 11, 2013

Brent Ozar

SQL Server

Sometimes, the best stories are the horror stories. Join Brent as he talks about some of the worst situations he’s seen in his years of database administration. He’ll share the inspiration behind some of his favorite entries at http://DBAreactions.tumblr.com. We’ll either laugh or cry. Or both. Watch this video on YouTube Liked that webcast? We’ve got…

Servers Need Expiration Dates

Last Updated February 9, 2017

Brent Ozar

Processes and Practices

Servers are like milk cartons: both need an expiration date printed clearly on the outside. SQL Server 2000 When a project needs a new database server, I ask the business users, “How long does this server need to last?” Inevitably somebody gives the flip answer of, “Forever.” I laugh along with the group and then…

(Almost) Everything You Need to Know About SQL Server 2014

Last Updated June 3, 2013

Brent Ozar

SQL Server

Just when you thought SQL Server couldn’t get better, Microsoft is announcing the features for SQL Server 2014. They haven’t announced the licensing/pricing, but I’ll tell you what I do know so far. First, open this in another tab and hit play so you’ve got some background music while you read. Done with the commercial? Okay, let’s…