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Writing Efficient SQL: Set-Based Speed Phreakery

by Kathi Kellenberger | 04 February 2010 |

30 comments |

Phil Factor's SQL Speed Phreak challenge is an event where coders battle to produce the fastest code to solve a common reporting problem on large data sets. It isn't that easy on the spectators, since the programmers don't score extra points for commenting their... Read more...

Simple Query tuning with STATISTICS IO and Execution plans

by Josef Richberg | 04 February 2010 |

7 comments |

A great deal can be gleaned from the use of the STATISTICS IO and the execution plan, when you are checking that a query is performing properly. Josef Richberg, the current holder of the 'Exceptional DBA' award, explains how an apparently draconian IT policy turns... Read more...

Controlling Execution Plans with Hints

by Grant Fritchey | 12 November 2009 |

6 comments |

The Query Optimizer gets it right most of the time, but occasionally it chooses a plan that isn't the best possible. You can give the Query Optimiser a better idea by using Table, Join and Query hints. These come with a risk: Any choices you force on the Optimizer... Read more...

Reducing I/O with the 'Missing Indexes' DMVs

by Laerte Junior | 09 October 2009 |

20 comments |

Laerte recently experienced an I/O nightmare, which, as a happy accident, gave him an opportunity to test out the ‘Missing Indexes’ DMVs and see if they were up to scratch. He solved his problems, ran a few tests to get a feel for how well the DMVs performed, and... Read more...

Mastering SQL Server Profiler - eBook Download

by Brad McGehee | 07 October 2009 |

3 comments |

Download Brad McGehee's "from the ground up" guide to SQL Server's most powerful performance diagnostic tool. Read more...

SQL Server Execution Plans - eBook Download

by Grant Fritchey | 07 October 2009 |

6 comments |

Why is my query running slow? Why isn't my index getting used? In order to answer these questions, you have to ask the same return question in each case: have you looked at the execution plan? Grant Fritchey provides the only dedicated and detailed guide to this... Read more...

Finding the causes of poor performance in SQL Server, Part 2

by Gail Shaw | 03 April 2009 |

30 comments |

In the first part of this series of articles, Gail showed how to find the procedures that contributed most to performance problems. In this final part, she shows how to use query statistics to pinpoint the queries that are causing the biggest problems, and then... Read more...

Finding the Causes of Poor Performance in SQL Server, Part 1

by Gail Shaw | 09 March 2009 |

36 comments |

To tackle performance problems with applications, you first find the queries that constitute a typical workload, using SQL Profiler: Then, from the trace, you find the queries or stored procedures that are having the most impact. After that, it is down to examining... Read more...

Understanding More Complex Query Plans

by Grant Fritchey | 26 February 2009 |

3 comments |

In order to be able to tackle performance issues in SQL Server , and write effective SQL, it is essential to gain a sound understanding of execution plans. Grant's previous article described graphical execution plans for Simple SQL queries. He now moves on to... Read more...

How to Identify Slow Running Queries with SQL Profiler

by Brad McGehee | 03 February 2009 |

4 comments |

With SQL Server Profiler, it is easy to discover all those queries that are running slowly. Once poorly performing queries are identified, there comes the harder task of speeding them up. Once again, the Profiler can provide a lot of information that can help... Read more...

Graphical Execution Plans for Simple SQL Queries

by Grant Fritchey | 16 December 2008 |

10 comments |

Learning how to read and analyze execution plans takes time and effort. But once you gain some experience, you will find them an essential skill for getting to grips with performance issues in SQL Server Queries. Grant here describes the range of execution plans for... Read more...

Investigating SQL Server 2008 Wait Events with XEVENTS

by Mario Broodbakker | 24 July 2008 |

Some reasons for the slow-running of database applications aren't obvious. Occasionally, even the profiler won't tell you enough to remedy a problem, especially when a SQL Statement is being forced to wait. Now, in SQL Server 2008, come XEvents, which allow you to... Read more...

Execution Plan Basics

by Grant Fritchey | 11 May 2008 |

33 comments |

Every day, out in the various discussion boards devoted to Microsoft SQL Server, the same types of questions come up again and again: Why is this query running slow? Is my index getting used? Why isn't my index getting used? Why does this query run faster than this... Read more...

SQL Server Performance Crib Sheet

by Grant Fritchey | 31 May 2007 |

18 comments |

Grant Fritchey provides an eagle-eye view of effective tools, strategies and techniques for SQL Server performance measurement, tuning and testing. Read more...

Taking the Guesswork out of SQL Server Performance Profiling Part 2

by Mario Broodbakker | 18 May 2007 |

5 comments |

SQL 2005 wait event statistics are a good step forward, but are only useful for isolated testing, and to get a global impression on how the SQL Server is spending its time. Mario Broodbakker demonstrates why it would be much better if SQL Server collected those... Read more...

SQL Server Wait Events: Taking the Guesswork out of Performance Profiling

by Mario Broodbakker | 22 March 2007 |

8 comments |

Measuring what is actually happening is always the best course of action when investigating performance issues on databases, rather than relying on cache hit ratios, or best practices, or worst of all, guesswork. This article introduces some techniques that will... Read more...

SQL Server Performance Testing

by Grant Fritchey | 15 May 2006 |

13 comments |

When faced with two viable solutions to a badly compromised database design, one using clustered indexes and the other compound primary keys, Grant Fritchey took the only sensible route: he gathered hard performance data... Read more...