Three Fantastic Ways to Master SQL Server Join Types Hey there, SQL enthusiasts and database professionals! It’s Steve Stedman from Stedman Solutions, LLC. Today, I’m excited to share with you three incredible ways to enhance your understanding of SQL Server join types. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to polish your skills, we’ve got something just for you! 1. Grab Your Free Join Types Poster First up, we’re offering a FREE downloadable poster that visually breaks down SQL join types. …

Four Fantastic Ways to Master SQL Server Join Types Read more »

I just wanted to let you know that the deadlock tracking has been extremely useful in tracking down issues. Without the tools, it’s was easy to see that one side of the process would fail occasionally, but it was hard to see what process won the deadlock. This is a gamechanger for me. I just wanted to say thanks to you and the team for adding this functionality. Eric – Database Health Monitor User Deadlock Tracking Reports in Database Health …

Deadlock Reports – A Gamechanger Read more »

Discovering the Hidden Impact of Large SQL Server Error Log Files: Insights from Stedman Solutions Author: Steve Stedman, Stedman Solutions, LLC In the realm of SQL Server Performance tuning and maintenance, one often overlooked aspect is the size of the SQL Server error log files. These files, although crucial for diagnostics and troubleshooting, can grow unexpectedly large, impacting the overall performance and reliability of your SQL Server instance. At Stedman Solutions, we’ve discovered through our extensive experience that managing these …

Impact of Large SQL Server Error Log Files Read more »

The Queries Needing Params Advisor shows you a list of the queries that are simliar The Value of Parameterized Queries in SQL Server Parameterized queries are a crucial best practice in SQL Server development. They offer several advantages, including security, performance, and maintainability. Let’s break down the key benefits: 1. SQL Injection Prevention One of the biggest risks in SQL Server is SQL injection, where an attacker manipulates input data to execute unintended SQL commands. Parameterized queries help prevent this by ensuring …

Queries Needing Params Advisor Read more »

SQL Server Assessment: The Importance of Monitoring TempDB Growth As a seasoned expert in SQL Server since 1990, specializing in Performance Tuning, I’ve seen firsthand how unchecked TempDB growth can wreak havoc on SQL Server Performance. Monitoring TempDB growth isn’t just a best practice—it’s essential. That’s why it’s one of the 150+ standard checks we perform at Stedman Solutions during our comprehensive SQL Server assessments. Why Monitoring TempDB Growth Matters TempDB is a system database that SQL Server relies on …

Performance Assessment: Monitoring TempDB Growth Read more »

Here is a short video with an overview of SchemaDrift and how to get started comparing SQL Server Databases. The latest update of Database Health Monitor includes SchemaDrift for comparing databases. Steve Stedman here to talk about SchemaDrift and how we can use SchemaDrift to go and compare database schemas and find differences in your database. SchemaDrift is a program created by Stedman Solutions. This is something we’ve had internally in beta for a couple of years, and we’ve been …

Introduction to SchemaDrift Read more »

SQL Server errors 823, 824, and 825 are critical indicators that your system is having trouble accessing data in your database files. These errors often point to underlying issues with disk I/O, hardware, or storage subsystems, and can range from transient problems to signs of serious corruption. Understanding these errors, their causes, and how to address them is crucial for maintaining a stable and reliable SQL Server environment. SQL Server Error 823: The Operating System Returned an I/O Error Error …

SQL Server Errors 823, 824, and 825 Read more »

Index maintenance is an essential part of SQL Server performance tuning, but it needs to be performed carefully to avoid negative impacts on your production environment. Rebuilding or reorganizing indexes during the day, when your database is under heavy usage, can lead to serious issues, including degraded performance, contention, and even application timeouts. Let’s dive into the reasons why this task is best scheduled during maintenance windows or low-usage periods. 1. Performance Impact on Query Execution Rebuilding or reorganizing indexes …

Why You Should Avoid Rebuilding or Reorganizing Indexes During the Day in SQL Server Read more »

Ensuring Data Security with Stedman Solutions SQL Server Managed Services: Solid Backups and Restores In today’s data-driven world, the integrity and availability of data are paramount. For businesses relying on SQL Server for their critical data storage and management, ensuring solid backups and reliable restores is not just an option, it’s a necessity. This is where Stedman Solutions’ SQL Server Managed Services shine, offering comprehensive coverage to protect your data with robust backup and restore strategies. The Pillars of Data …

Solid Backups and Restores Read more »

The Power of Proactive Monitoring in a World of Constant Change As the world continually evolves, the need for robust and proactive solutions in the realm of IT managed services becomes ever more critical. In an environment where a single change can have cascading effects, businesses cannot afford to be reactive. This is where Stedman Solutions steps in with its cutting-edge managed services offering, featuring the daily checkup monitor – a tool designed to catch changes as they occur, ensuring …

Proactive Monitoring in a World of Constant Change Read more »