Answer by Tom Staab
Edit: expanded list to included covering vs noncovering indexesDo you mean the execution plan?The plan shows how SQL Server will execute your query. The main benefit is to see what indexes are used (or...
View ArticleAnswer by Rob Farley
Hi Goat....To read a plan, start with the window closed. Work out how you'd solve the problem in an ideal, but paper-based, world.Then go to the plan, start at the top row, on the right, and work in....
View ArticleAnswer by Kev Riley
Grant Fitchey has a great book on this - you can get an ebook version over at SQLServerCentral.
View ArticleAnswer by Grant Fritchey
This is a huge topic. Here are some high points that I always try to emphasize:Remember that there are two types of execution plans, estimated and actual. They're usually the same, but not always. The...
View ArticleAnswer by Håkan Winther
Toms answer covers a lot of it and I just want to add some points. Take a look at the estimated or actual cost of the steps, number of executes and the cost in percent. Even if cost is not an exact...
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