Database Optimization

Introduction
Introduction & Disclaimers
Optimizing a Database
Some Common Problems

Designing for Performance
Planning & Process Principles
Design Principles
Client/Server Interaction

Troubleshooting & Testing
What to Look for
Types of Testing
SQLdiag Tool

Conducting an Audit
Understanding Audits
Components of Audits
Examples of Components
Creating Audits Through Procedures

Relationships & Joins
Relationships
Understanding Joins
Optimizing Joins
Joins & Indexing

Referential Integrity
Proper Use of Integrity
Integrity Continued
Primary/Foreign/Candidate Keys
Troubleshooting Integrity

Data Types & Validations
Unions
UNION in SQL
Standards
Validation

Creating a Data Model
Conceptual/Logical/Physical Models
Relational Modeling
Entity Model
Schemas

Database Normalization
First Normal Form
Second Normal Form
Third Normal Form
Denormalization

Temporary Tables
Creating & Using Temporary Tables
Heap & Memory Tables
EXPLAIN Statement

Query/Views Optimization
Introduction to Execution Plans
Running the SQL Execution Plan
Using Profiler for the Execution Plan
SET SHOWPLAN_TEXT

Index Strategies
Effective Indexes
Short & Distinct Keys
Looking at Indexes in SQL
Optimizing & Indexes

Clustered Indexes
Clustered vs. Non-Clustered Indexes
Tips for Clustered Indexes
Significance on Performance

More Tuning
Eliminating Unwanted Data
SHRINKFILE Examples
Database Tuning Advisor
DTA Example

Data Types & Quality
Data Quality
Overview of Data Types
SQL vs. Oracle Data Types
Examples in SQL

Best Practices
Creating a Sustainable Database
Documentation
Most Common Practices

Stored Procedures & Triggers
Stored Procedures/Functions/Triggers
Writing Stored Procedures
Creating a Function & When to Use
Working with Triggers

Hardware Performance Concepts
CPU & Input/Output
Memory Management
Network Infrastructure

Applying Performance Concepts
Task Manager
System vs. Performance Monitor
Performance Monitor
SQL Database I/O Report
Examples for sys.dm_io_virtual_file_stats

Monitoring
Event Viewer
SQL Activity Monitor
Locks & Deadlocks
Monitoring Services

Database Security
Privileges
Role Based Authorization
GRANT & REVOKE Statements
Reviewing Security in SQL

Understanding Lifecycles
Lifecycle Management
The Database Lifecycle
Using the SQL Management Plan

Using Baselines & Profiler
Importance of Baselines
SQL Profiler
Trace & Other Profiler Tools
Terminology in Work Files

Analyzing Slow Performance
Database Testing
Thoughts on Troubleshooting
Generalized Tips

Optimizing Code
Levels of Optimization
UNION vs. OR Optimization
JOIN vs. WHERE
Weak Joins
Coding Tips

Statistics
Overview of Statistics
Seeing Statistics in SQL
Auditing
Auditing in SQL

Other Components
Database Consistency Checker (DBCC)
DBCC in SQL
System Catalog
System Catalog in SQL

Checklists
Architecture & Design
Constraints & Influences
Performance Tuning
Index Checklist
General Checklist

Odds & Ends
Business Intelligence
Archiving
ADONET

Conclusion
Wrap Up & Work Files

Credits
About the Author