>>...We have a need to only every insert data, no updates. ...

Can't you simply do a not exists clause to see if the record of concern already exists?  I can't...

>>"Microsoft support policies do not apply to the database mirroring feature in SQL Server 2005 ........ Database mirroring should not be used in production environments, and Microsoftsupport services will not...

Grant, I can see a case such as the example in BOL (ms-help://MS.SQLCC.v9/MS.SQLSVR.v9.en/udb9/html/0208b259-7129-4d9f-9204-8445a8119116.htm) where due to the recursive nature of the data a CROSS APPLY will be efficient.  However, do...

I have the HIGHEST regards for Itzik's skills with TSQL and enjoy his writings and even use a number of his examples in my classes/presentations.  This book, however, is NOT...

1) I would be leery of attempting to build a production system using mirroring if you are a sql server newbie.  WAY too many opportunities to fail there, and you...

1) Confused.  In your original post you stated there was no line in the sproc that did CREATE INDEX, yet in the last post you made you gave a temp...

One of my favorites is Beginning Transact SQL ... by wrox press. 

Agree with the others here that you should store data in the appropriate datatype, for a number of reasons.  One thing you should do also is to pick the CORRECT...

I think it is a very poor and short-sighted development decision to go the linked server route, at least for direct data access, manipulation or sproc calls that does not...

Rudy, your post is certainly in the top ten best posts I have ever read on any forum.  It was well thought out and worded, thought provoking and also focused...

>>

Nope... you made an unqualified statement with no conditions.  And no one would force such an index as you have because everyone knows the bookmarks will kill any hope of...

Yes, really.  Your fabricated example uses a covering index and thus has no need to touch the base table.  Change your select to this:

 SELECT SomeID, SomeString, somedate

   FROM dbo.IndexTest

  WHERE...

1) Your "realistic assumptions" still have a fundamental flaw.  Many (most in my experience and also from students in the classes I teach) Microsoft shops don't have even a SINGLE...

Rudy, you are likely doing things backwards I think, especially in this case where there may well have been NO tuning/indexing done in the first place (given that a .NET...

Yeah - there are definitely some sharp guys out there consulting that are unfortunately not very good in the 'mentor' roll.  That is a pretty good performance gain (14 to...