I recently came across a post on Stackoverflow regarding the performance of using a SELECT TOP 1 query in comparison to using the MAX() function.
My initial thoughts on this were that the MAX() function would provide the best performance however, in order to be absolutely certain and prove my initial hypothesis I decided to put [...]
Posts from ‘February, 2009’
Performance Comparison of (SELECT TOP 1) Verses MAX()
Identifying Possible Bad Indexes
SQL Server indexes are often promoted as the answer to all of our performance optimisation needs. It may then surprise you to hear that indexes can also be bad for performance.
“What are you yapping on about John” I hear you shout. Well let me explain.
You see, if the number of writes to a table (and [...]
What is your biggest SQL Server mistake?
You know the one I am talking about.
We have all been there at some point. You get that awful feeling of dread as a chilling realisation sets in and you ask yourself, oh my god did that actually just happen.
Sure you can laugh about it now though, right. So come on and share your SQL [...]
New SQL Server Resources
One of the joys of working with SQL Server technologies is that there are some truly great knowledge resources available for use. You just have to know where to look.
With the volume of information available it can be difficult to sift out the really good stuff. I know throughout my time as a database professional [...]
Disaster Recovery Planning – Getting Started
The starting point for a rock solid disaster recovery (DR) strategy is to establish what the true cost of server/platform downtime would be to the business.
The project will require you to collaborate with your key business decision makers and you will need to communicate to them what the associated costs of [...]