Evaluate performance improvements

Intermediate
Data Analyst
Data Engineer
Database Administrator
Azure SQL Database
SQL Server

Evaluate possible changes to indexes. Determine the impact of changes to queries and indexes. Explore Query Store hints.

Learning objectives

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • Determine when changing indexes or defining new ones can affect performance
  • Evaluate wait statistics as an aid in finding areas for performance improvement
  • Understand how query hints work, and when to use them

Prerequisites

  • Ability to use tools for running queries against a Microsoft SQL database, either on-premises on cloud-based.
  • Ability to write code in the SQL language, particularly the Microsoft T-SQL dialect, at a basic level.
  • Basic understanding of structure and usage of SQL Server indexes.
  • Basic understanding of relational database concepts.