The Query Store in SQL Server is a powerful feature that enables database administrators and developers to track and analyze query performance over time. By storing runtime statistics and execution plans, it provides invaluable insights into how queries behave and how they can be optimized. This blog looks into the mechanics of the Query Store, the necessity of plan forcing, and how to effectively use it to stabilize and enhance query performance.
Category: Performance
Building a Career in SQL Server: Tips, Strategies, and Pathways for Aspiring DBAs
Starting a career as a SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) offers numerous opportunities in today’s data-driven landscape. As organizations increasingly rely on databases to manage and analyze their data, skilled DBAs are in high demand. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to advance in this field, here are some key strategies to help you build a successful career in SQL Server.
Determining When to Optimize SQL Server Workloads Versus Upgrading Hardware
When your SQL Server isn’t performing as expected, it’s tempting to think that upgrading hardware is the quick fix. More CPUs, extra memory, faster disks—they all sound like solutions that should solve the problem. But before you start investing in new equipment, it’s worth taking a step back to see if optimization can address the issues.
Monitoring SQL Server on Linux with Native Linux Tools
As organizations deploy SQL Server on Linux, leveraging native Linux tools for monitoring becomes essential to ensure optimal performance and reliability. Tools like htop, vmstat, and iostat provide valuable insights into system resources and help identify potential bottlenecks. This blog explores how to use these native Linux tools to monitor SQL Server effectively.
Archiving Old Transactions in SQL Server Using PowerShell
Archiving old or obsolete data is an effective strategy to maintain optimal performance. In this post, we’ll explore how to archive old transactions from a SQL Server database using PowerShell. We’ll walk through creating the necessary database and tables, populating them with sample data, executing a PowerShell script to automate the archiving process, and verifying the results.
Diagnosing and Resolving Last Page Insert Contention in SQL Server
In high-concurrency environments, SQL Server databases may experience performance bottlenecks due to contention issues. One common issue is Last Page Insert Contention, which occurs when multiple sessions attempt to insert records into the last page of an index simultaneously. This contention can lead to significant wait times and reduced performance, particularly in tables with ever-increasing key columns. We will look at page insert contention and give recommendations for improvement.
Avoiding Recompiles in Dynamic SQL: Best Practices for SQL Server
Dynamic SQL is a powerful feature in SQL Server that allows you to build and execute SQL statements on the fly. It’s especially useful when you need flexibility in your queries based on varying conditions. However, a common issue with dynamic SQL is that it can lead to frequent recompilations of execution plans, which can hurt performance. In this post, I’ll explain why this happens, how you can avoid unnecessary recompiles, and provide scripts you can use to test these concepts yourself.
Understanding the Timeline of Query Optimization Improvements in SQL Server 2022
Intelligent Query Processing (IQP) is a suite of advanced features introduced in SQL Server 2017 and enhanced in subsequent versions, including SQL Server 2022. By upgrading to SQL Server 2022 and setting your database compatibility level to 160, you enable capabilities that dynamically optimize query performance. Understanding when these performance improvements take effect can help database administrators and developers plan and manage their optimization strategies effectively. The journey toward maximum performance improvement is gradual and influenced by factors such as workload characteristics and system configurations.
The Hidden Costs of Over-Indexing SQL Server Tables
Over-indexing in SQL Server can lead to hidden costs that undermine database performance, including increased storage consumption, performance overhead on data modifications, and longer maintenance windows. This article explores how excessive indexing impacts query optimization, disk I/O, and system resources. Learn why a balanced indexing strategy is critical and discover best practices for managing your indexes effectively. Avoid the pitfalls of over-indexing and optimize your SQL Server for both performance and cost-efficiency.
Managing SQL Server Database Growth with Files and Filegroups
As SQL Server databases expand over time, managing their growth becomes an important task. If not handled properly, this growth can lead to performance issues and maintenance headaches. One effective way to manage database growth is by using filegroups and data files thoughtfully. With proper planning, you can distribute your data across different storage devices, enhance performance, and keep your database scalable.