SQL Server Index Basics

Given the fundamental importance of indexes in databases, it always comes as a surprise how often the proper design of indexes is neglected. It often turns out that the programmer understands detail, but not the broad picture of what indexes do. Bob Sheldon comes to the rescue with a simple guide that serves either to remind or educate us all!

Finding Execution Time of a SQL Statement

Capturing the execution time for rebuilding an index for set of tables.

Are Your Indexes Being Used Effectively?

This article shows how to use the dm_db_index_usage_stats DMV to identify if an Index is being used on not

Included index

Predictable Index Fragmentation

This technical article provides an overview of how to produce specific levels of index fragmentation. Useful for creating test plans.

Aggregating Index usage information

This script aggregates index usage stats into a view.

Checking fragmented indexes

A quick script to check for fragmentation in a database and generate a list of defrag statments you can run.

Move non-clustered indexes (2005/2008)

Generates script

Missing Indexes in SQL Server 2005

Determining which columns to index in a table used to be a very time consuming process that was as much art as science. New author Ranga Narasimhan brings us an article that shows how SQL Server 2005 makes this much easier.

Moving Indexes

Working with filegroups and managing the location of your various objects can be a cumbersome task in SQL Server. New author Thom Bolin brings us a technique and some code that worked well for one of his clients.