Tuning with Showplan

Title: SQL Statement Tuning with Showplan

Level: 100

Abstract: The SQL Server query optimizer is the single most important technology within the query processing engine.  It decides exactly how any given SQL statement is executed.  One of the most useful tuning steps you can take when assessing the performance of a query is to examine its query plan.  However, the query plan is full of jargon and obscurely defined operations.  This session will take you through the basics of reading and understanding query plans, as well as covering the steps which indicate good performance and poor performance.  When you’re done with this session, you will have a working knowledge of tuning SQL queries using the SET SHOWPLAN command and using the Graphic Showplan utility within SQL Server.

Prerequisites: Beginning SQL query writing skills