Compatibility levels determine how certain features of SQL Server behave, allowing databases to maintain functionality even as the server itself evolves. However, changing compatibility levels requires careful consideration to balance the benefits of new features against the potential risks of disrupting existing applications. This blog explores the importance of handling compatibility level changes thoughtfully during SQL Server upgrades, highlighting the risks of making changes too hastily and the advantages of adopting new compatibility levels within a reasonable timeframe.
Author: Stephen Planck
Using sp_getapplock to Prevent Concurrent Execution of Stored Procedures in SQL Server
In multi-user database environments, ensuring the integrity and consistency of data is essential. One common challenge is preventing multiple instances of the same stored procedure from executing at the same time, which can lead to data conflicts, race conditions, and unpredictable results. To address this, SQL Server provides a powerful tool called sp_getapplock. This post explains what sp_getapplock is, what you are actually locking when you use it, how to implement it to prevent concurrent executions of a stored procedure, and the difference between transaction-level and session-level locks.
Exploring Programming Constructs in T-SQL – Part 3: Error Handling and Transaction Management
Welcome back to our series on programming constructs in T-SQL! In the previous installments, we explored variables, conditional IF statements, loops, and CASE expressions. These tools have helped us write dynamic and efficient SQL scripts. In this third part, we’ll focus on two essential concepts for writing reliable SQL code: Error Handling with TRY…CATCH Blocks and Transaction Management.
Building a Career in SQL Server: Tips, Strategies, and Pathways for Aspiring DBAs
Starting a career as a SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) offers numerous opportunities in today’s data-driven landscape. As organizations increasingly rely on databases to manage and analyze their data, skilled DBAs are in high demand. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to advance in this field, here are some key strategies to help you build a successful career in SQL Server.
Determining When to Optimize SQL Server Workloads Versus Upgrading Hardware
When your SQL Server isn’t performing as expected, it’s tempting to think that upgrading hardware is the quick fix. More CPUs, extra memory, faster disks—they all sound like solutions that should solve the problem. But before you start investing in new equipment, it’s worth taking a step back to see if optimization can address the issues.
Monitoring SQL Server on Linux with Native Linux Tools
As organizations deploy SQL Server on Linux, leveraging native Linux tools for monitoring becomes essential to ensure optimal performance and reliability. Tools like htop, vmstat, and iostat provide valuable insights into system resources and help identify potential bottlenecks. This blog explores how to use these native Linux tools to monitor SQL Server effectively.
Archiving Old Transactions in SQL Server Using PowerShell
Archiving old or obsolete data is an effective strategy to maintain optimal performance. In this post, we’ll explore how to archive old transactions from a SQL Server database using PowerShell. We’ll walk through creating the necessary database and tables, populating them with sample data, executing a PowerShell script to automate the archiving process, and verifying the results.
Exploring Programming Constructs in T-SQL – Part 2: Loops and CASE Expressions
Welcome back to our series on programming constructs in T-SQL! In Part 1 of this series, we explored the fundamentals of variables and conditional IF statements, laying the groundwork for dynamic and efficient SQL scripting. In this second installment, we’ll delve deeper into T-SQL by examining two more powerful constructs: Loops (specifically the WHILE loop) and CASE Expressions. Understanding these constructs will enable you to handle repetitive tasks and implement conditional logic directly within your SQL queries, further enhancing the flexibility and capability of your scripts.
Avoiding Recompiles in Dynamic SQL: Best Practices for SQL Server
Dynamic SQL is a powerful feature in SQL Server that allows you to build and execute SQL statements on the fly. It’s especially useful when you need flexibility in your queries based on varying conditions. However, a common issue with dynamic SQL is that it can lead to frequent recompilations of execution plans, which can hurt performance. In this post, I’ll explain why this happens, how you can avoid unnecessary recompiles, and provide scripts you can use to test these concepts yourself.
Understanding the Timeline of Query Optimization Improvements in SQL Server 2022
Intelligent Query Processing (IQP) is a suite of advanced features introduced in SQL Server 2017 and enhanced in subsequent versions, including SQL Server 2022. By upgrading to SQL Server 2022 and setting your database compatibility level to 160, you enable capabilities that dynamically optimize query performance. Understanding when these performance improvements take effect can help database administrators and developers plan and manage their optimization strategies effectively. The journey toward maximum performance improvement is gradual and influenced by factors such as workload characteristics and system configurations.