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  • Script: Identify Missing Indexes

    This script returns the highest-impact missing index recommendations based on cumulative workload statistics. It helps identify tables where SQL Server believes additional indexes could significantly improve query performance. This is useful during performance tuning, workload reviews, and when investigating high read activity or inefficient query plans. The Script Example Output The result set shows the…

  • Get Last Database Restore Date and Time in SQL Server

    Knowing when a database was last restored is useful during incident response, audits, and general environment validation. This is not about backup schedules or restore progress.It is a simple historical check that answers one question: When was this database last restored? This post shows a reliable way to retrieve the most recent restore date and…

  • Script: Check Index Fragmentation Across All Databases

    This script checks index fragmentation levels across all online databases on the instance. It helps identify heavily fragmented indexes that may require maintenance. This is useful when reviewing index health, validating maintenance jobs, or troubleshooting performance issues related to inefficient index access. The Script Example Output The result set shows indexes across all user databases,…

  • Script: SQL Server User & Permissions Audit

    This script audits SQL Server users and permissions across all databases on an instance. It consolidates server-level logins, database users, Windows groups, and role memberships into a single result set. It is useful during security reviews, access audits, migrations, or when validating permissions after changes. The Script Example Output The result set shows consolidated role…

  • Deleting Rows in Batches in SQL Server

    Deleting large volumes of data from a SQL Server table looks simple, but it can cause real problems if done carelessly. A single large DELETE can: When you’re cleaning up historical data or running routine maintenance, deleting rows in batches is usually the safest and most predictable approach. This post shows a simple, production-safe pattern…

  • Script: I/O Usage by Database

    This script returns total read and write activity per database based on file-level I/O statistics. It helps identify which databases are generating the most disk activity on the instance. This is commonly used during performance troubleshooting, storage pressure investigations, and workload analysis. The Script Example Output The result set shows one row per database, including…

  • Get Database Sizes and Free Space in SQL Server

    Keeping track of database file sizes and available free space is a basic but essential part of SQL Server administration. If you don’t know how large your data and log files are, or how much free space they contain, capacity planning becomes guesswork. Problems tend to surface late, usually during growth events, backups, or unexpected…

  • Show Database Growth Events in SQL Server

    Database file growth events are easy to ignore until they become a problem. When a data or log file autogrows, SQL Server must extend the physical file on disk before continuing. During this operation, activity against that file can stall. If this happens frequently, it can introduce latency, increase I/O pressure, and in some cases…

  • Script: Top Wait Statistics

    This script returns the top wait types since the last SQL Server restart or wait statistics clear, excluding common idle and background waits. It provides a quick high-level view of where the instance is spending time. This is often the first script run during performance investigations to identify whether the primary pressure is related to…

  • RAND() vs NEWID() in SQL Server

    Most people searching for “random numbers in SQL Server” want one of two things: SQL Server gives you two common tools for this: RAND() and NEWID(). They solve different problems, and confusion usually starts when they are treated as interchangeable. This post shows how to use both, starting with simple examples, and explains why they…

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