Plsql Stories

SQL Server is a powerful RDBMS, but even experienced developers can fall into traps that hurt performance, security, and scalability. Here are 10 common mistakes and how to avoid them: 1. Missing Indexes: Running queries on large tables without proper indexing slows performance. Use execution plans in SSMS to spot missing indexes and add non-clustered indexes on frequently queried columns. **2. Using SELECT *** Fetching all columns increases network load. Always select only the required columns. 3. Not Using Parameterized Queries: Embedding user input in SQL can lead to SQL injection. Use parameterized queries or stored procedures. Eg:BEGIN TRY ... END TRY BEGIN CATCH ... END CATCH 6. Ignoring Transaction Management: Leaving transactions open locks resources. Keep transactions short and always close with COMMIT or ROLLBACK. 7. Skipping Regular Backups: Disasters happen. Schedule full, diff, and log backups, and test them regularly. 8. Hard-Coding Credentials: Storing plain-text credentials is risky. Use environment variables or secure vaults like Azure Key Vault. 9. Ignoring Statistics: Outdated stats degrade performance. Enable auto-updates and run UPDATE STATISTICS routinely. 10. No Server Monitoring: Don't wait for users to complain. Monitor CPU, memory, slow queries, and deadlocks using SQL Profiler or third-party tools. Conclusion: Avoiding these mistakes can greatly improve performance, security, and maintainability. Clean code begins with clean queries.