Returns a summary of CPU usage by SQL Server over the last 4 hours (default). Using the sample values collected in the dm_os_ring_buffers dmv, this query will show CPU usage by the SQL Server process for the last for hours even if you have no other benchmarking activities in place on your server yet.  Read more...

Over the years I've had many discussions with other SQL Server Database Administrators as to whether or not you should have the database buffer pool loaded with data pages or empty when testing queries for performance. This tip will take a look at the effects on query performance for both cases by using the DBCC DROPCLEANBUFFERS statement to empty the buffer pool.  Read more...

Duplicate & Overlapping Indexes can be a drag on write speed and disk resources. How do we find and eliminate them quickly and effectively?  Read more...

Statistics keep track of our data and will tell SQL Server how to make the best optimization decisions. Knowing how they work can make understanding query and performance problems much easier!  Read more...

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Cursors are considered by many to be the bane of good T-SQL. What are the best ways to avoid iterative T-SQL and to write queries that look and perform beautifully? In the next part of an ongoing series, we look at ways to efficiently retrieve recently modified data.  Read more...

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Sometimes we need to break down a complex problem into a multiple stage solution to achieve optimal performance  Read more...

Exploring the potential benefits of the T-SQL Window functions (OVER, LAG, and LEAD) in this piece. You can learn how to achieve up to 50% performance boost by replacing a single function call.   Read more...

The way in which SQL Server chooses to join your tables in a query can dramatically affect performance. In this article, Jason Brimhall explains how a hash match works and shows some performance numbers.  Read more...

Understanding execution plans is a good basic skill for all DBA's and SQL developers. Darren White gives us an overview of what execution plans are in SQL Server and how they are used.  Read more...

We've all been there, trying to improve performance in a panic situation and not making things better.  Read more...

Window Functions in SQL greatly simplify a whole range of financial and statistical aggregations on sets of data. Because there is less SQL on the page, it is easy to assume that the performance is better too: but is it? Dwain gets out the test harness to investigate.  Read more...

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A simple script for automation of additional secondary data files of tempdb.  Read more...

Tuning a SQL Server instance and improving the way it performs is a complex task that many people struggle to complete. In this piece, Steve Jones talks about the idea that it is a science as much as an art.  Read more...

As a developer, if you need to go into the database and write queries, design tables, or determine the configuration of your SQL Server Systems, these tips should help make sure you're not unnecessarily sacrificing database performance. This eBook has 45 easy tips to improve the performance of your indexes and T-SQL queries, and hunt down problems within ORM tools and database design.   Read more...

This technical note provides guidance for Reporting Services. The focus of this technical note is to optimize your Reporting Services architecture for better performance and higher report execution throughput and user loads.  Read more...

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