SQL performing tools and techniques for the optimum performance of your database.
Gone are the days when the data were stored in hard copies of files, now almost all the organizations use databases to store different data related to their operations. This has made databases very important for the operations of any organization, thereby performance of a database matters a lot.
To keep a check on this to ensure that the database is performing well, performance tuning in SQL is largely practiced by the Database Administrators.
What is Performance Tuning in SQL?
SQL performance tuning is a set of practices using different tools and techniques to keep a check that the queries of the given SQL database run in the fastest possible time giving maximum productivity.
Techniques and tools used for Performance Tuning in SQL
Here are a few techniques and tools used for performance tuning in SQL:
1. Execution Plans in SQL Server
Execution plan can help you by graphically displaying data retrieval methods that are chosen by the SQL server query optimization. This can be done using the Execution Plan tool in SQL Server.
If you are executing a retrieval plan in SQL server management studio, then all you need to do is just click “Include Actual Execution Plan” prior to running your SQL query.
Upon this, you could see a third tab “Execution Plan” appearing on your screen, which shows detected missing Index.
In order to create these missing Index, you have to right click on the Execution Plan and choose “Missing Index Details”.
This creates the Index missing in your query and optimize it.
2. Monitor resource usage
Another important factor in the performance of the SQL database is resource usage, which can be monitored and efficiently handled for an improved performance.
Performance tuning in SQL can be done by monitoring the usage of resources such as the number of buffer manager page requests. This can be done using SQL performance tuning tools such as Monitor Resource Usage (System Monitor). It monitors events using predefined objects and counters or user-defined counters collecting the counts and rates rather than data about the events.
By setting up thresholds of these counts you can also receive alert notifications. System Monitor is compatible with Microsoft Windows Server and Windows operating systems and can remotely monitor an instance of SQL Server on Windows NT 4.0 or later.
3. Analyze real-time Query statistics
Performance tuning in SQL is largely affected in the real-time scenario, and monitoring it in real time can help in tracing issues more efficiently.
Real-time query statistics can be generated using SQL performance tuning tools such as Live Query Statistics. This tool displays real-time statistics of step by step query execution to closely understand which step is hindering performance.
It is very vital for debugging SQL query performance related issues, as the data of the statistics is available in real time while the query is still executing.
4. Perform a database server health check-up
Ensure a good server health by performing regular health checkups and find the areas causing a slowdown. Performance tuning in SQL very much depends on the health of the server, making it substantial for a good performance.
SQL performance tuning tools such as Execution Related Dynamic Management Views and Functions (Transact-SQL), commonly known as DMVs could be used to check execution related server health to detect slowdowns.
5. Analyze Performance effects of Transact-SQL statements
Performance tuning in SQL can be done by analyzing the performance effects of Transact-SQL statements which are executed against the required databases that are supposed to be tuned.
SQL performance tuning tools such as Database Engine Tuning Advisor, not only analyzes the performance effects, but also recommends add, remove, or modify indexes, indexed views, and partitioning, based on these performance effects of Transact-SQL.
The Bottom Line
One can easily optimize database performance significantly by Performance tuning in SQL and decrease the processing time by taking required measures upon identifying affected areas using SQL performance tuning tools, especially for large databases, improving overall efficiency.