
Posts

Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)
How VSS and the SQL Writer Service interact with SQL Server backups, including supported operations, limitations around point-in-time recovery, and common troubleshooting steps.
Vertical Partitioning
How vertical partitioning (row splitting) reduces page waste and improves query performance in SQL Server, with a one-million-row demo.
Understanding Storage in SQL Server
How SQL Server organizes data at the page and extent level, and why LOB, in-row, and row-overflow storage matter for performance and design.
Transaction Log Management
A practical Q&A on SQL Server transaction log internals: how transactions work, crash recovery, why logs grow, and the correct way to shrink and resize the log file.
SSMS Productivity Tips
Eight practical tips for working faster in SQL Server Management Studio, from block selection and split windows to color-coded connections.
SQL Server Corruption Post Mortem
A post-mortem guide for SQL Server database corruption: likely causes from I/O subsystem errors to firmware, early detection strategies, and recovery steps.
Row Structure in SQL Server
Understanding SQL Server row structure, including fixed and variable length columns, null bitmaps, and how trailing nulls affect storage efficiency.
Recovery Model Behavior
A comparison of SQL Server's Full, Simple, and Bulk-Logged recovery models, covering transaction log behavior, backup requirements, and disaster recovery implications.