Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query from Pluralsight

Are your SQL queries running slower by the day? Does writing new queries make you worry? If so, this course is for you! You will discover valuable tools built into SQL Management Studio to aid in reducing query execution times.

Perhaps you’re starting out or have been plagued by low-performing T-SQL queries for years. Maybe you have been appointed the new SQL expert, but your query tuning skills are lacking. In this course, Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query, you will gain foundational knowledge of improving query performance.

First, you will hear what vital questions can be asked about a query, understanding the intent of what data your query is returning, which is paramount in improving performance. Then, you will learn the internals of how SQL Server stores and retrieves data.

Next, you will discover tools built into SQL Server Management Studio, which are vital for exploring the SQL Server internals.

Finally, you will explore several low-performing queries, utilizing your newly acquired skills to improve performance.

When you’re finished with this course, you will have the skills and knowledge necessary to consistently improve low-performing queries.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Asking Questions about a Query

Sources of Query Performance Issues

Performance Insights with SQL Server Tools

Query Tuning in the Real World

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for beginners, teaches fundamentals of improving query performance

Emphasizes asking crucial questions about queries, crucial for optimization

Provides insights into SQL Server's internal data storage and retrieval mechanisms

Leverages tools in SQL Server Management Studio for exploring SQL Server internals

Engages learners in hands-on exercises to improve low-performing queries

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query with these activities:

Review SQL syntax and basics before starting the course

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Refreshes foundational knowledge to ensure students are well-prepared for the course.

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Go through online tutorials or documentation on SQL basics
Complete practice exercises to reinforce concepts
Identify areas where you need additional practice

Follow tutorials on query performance optimization

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Provides step-by-step instructions and examples.

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Identify online tutorials and documentation on query performance optimization
Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises
Take notes and ask questions in discussion forums
Apply the techniques and strategies you learn to your own queries

Run query performance tests

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Provides valuable hands-on experience in understanding query performance by running and analyzing performance tests.

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Choose a few complex queries that have performance issues
Run the queries in SSMS and note the execution plans and times
Analyze the execution plans and identify bottlenecks
Try different query optimization techniques to improve performance
Compare the performance results after optimizations

Six other activities

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Participate in online coding challenges on query optimization

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Provides a gamified way to practice and improve query optimization skills.

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Identify online coding challenge platforms that offer SQL challenges
Participate in challenges and submit solutions
Analyze the solutions of other participants
Reflect on the techniques and strategies used

Create a cheat sheet of query performance optimization techniques

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Provides a quick and handy reference for students to use while working on queries.

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Gather information and resources on query performance optimization techniques
Organize and summarize the information into a cheat sheet
Share the cheat sheet with other students or professionals

Query Optimization Exercises

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Strengthen your query optimization abilities through dedicated practice drills.

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Choose a sample database and set of queries
Analyze query execution plans
Apply optimization techniques and compare results
Evaluate and compare performance metrics
Document and share your findings

Create a blog post on query performance tuning

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Reinforces understanding by requiring students to explain query tuning concepts in their own words while also benefiting others.

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Research and gather information on query performance tuning
Outline the main points of your blog post
Write the content of your blog post
Edit and proofread your blog post
Publish your blog post

Implement a Troubleshooting Plan

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Fine-tune your query skills by actively implementing a troubleshooting protocol in a practical environment.

Browse courses on Performance Tuning

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Define performance objectives and metrics
Collect and analyze query data
Identify and prioritize performance bottlenecks
Develop and implement optimization solutions
Monitor and evaluate results

Offer to mentor other students on query performance tuning

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Reinforces understanding by requiring students to explain concepts to others and helps build leadership skills.

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Identify opportunities to mentor other students
Prepare materials and resources
Meet with students and provide guidance
Follow up with students and provide feedback

Career center

Learners who complete Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Database Administrator

Database Administrators ensure the efficient operation of databases by monitoring performance, identifying and resolving issues, and implementing security measures. With the skills you will learn in Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query, you will be well-prepared to excel as a Database Administrator. This course can help you effectively identify and resolve performance issues, troubleshoot queries, and implement performance improvements, all of which are essential responsibilities for Database Administrators.

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Database Architect

Database Architects design and manage databases. Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query can provide Database Architects with a deep understanding of query optimization and performance tuning techniques. By understanding how data is stored and retrieved, you can design and implement scalable, performant, and efficient database architectures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Architect

Data Engineer

Data Engineers build and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure. This course can provide Data Engineers with essential skills in query optimization and performance tuning. By understanding how data is stored and retrieved, you can design and implement efficient data pipelines, troubleshoot performance issues, and ensure the scalability and performance of your data infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Database Developer

Database Developers design, develop, and maintain databases. This course can provide Database Developers with a solid foundation in query optimization and performance tuning techniques. You will learn how to identify performance bottlenecks, troubleshoot queries, and implement performance improvements, helping you build and maintain efficient and scalable databases.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to extract meaningful insights. Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query can provide Data Analysts with a deeper understanding of how data is stored and retrieved in SQL Server, giving them a valuable advantage in analyzing and optimizing data performance. Whether you are a seasoned Data Analyst or just starting out, this course will help you develop the skills needed to effectively analyze data and drive business decisions.

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Performance Engineer

Performance Engineers optimize the performance of software systems. Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query can provide Performance Engineers with essential skills in database performance tuning and optimization. By understanding how data is stored and retrieved, you can identify and resolve performance bottlenecks, and implement performance improvements, ensuring the optimal performance of software systems.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems and make predictions. Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query can help Data Scientists understand how data is stored and retrieved in SQL Server, giving them a valuable advantage in analyzing and optimizing data performance. By mastering the skills taught in this course, you can develop more efficient data pipelines, optimize machine learning models, and make more accurate predictions.

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Business Intelligence Analyst

Business Intelligence Analysts gather and analyze data to identify trends and patterns that can inform business decisions. Enrolling in Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query can enhance your understanding of data storage and retrieval, enabling you to effectively analyze and interpret data. This course will provide you with tools and techniques to improve query performance, ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of your data analysis.

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Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts design, develop, and implement computer systems. By taking Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query, Systems Analysts can gain valuable insights into database performance and optimization techniques. This course will help you understand how data is stored and retrieved, identify performance bottlenecks, and implement performance improvements, enabling you to design and implement efficient and scalable systems.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. By taking Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query, Software Engineers can enhance their understanding of database performance and optimization techniques. This course will help you write efficient SQL queries, troubleshoot performance issues, and optimize database performance, all of which are essential skills for Software Engineers working with databases.

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Software Tester

Software Testers ensure the quality and reliability of software applications. Enrolling in Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query can provide Software Testers with valuable insights into performance testing techniques. By understanding how data is stored and retrieved, you can develop more effective test cases, identify and resolve performance issues, and ensure the stability and performance of software applications.

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Security Analyst

Security Analysts identify and mitigate security risks. While Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query may not directly relate to security analysis, its focus on identifying and resolving performance issues can be transferable to identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities. By understanding how data is stored and retrieved, you can better assess the security of databases and implement measures to protect against unauthorized access or data breaches.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan and execute projects. Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query may provide transferable skills for Project Managers, such as identifying and resolving performance issues. By understanding how data is stored and retrieved, you can better manage projects involving database development and optimization, ensuring their successful implementation and performance.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts ensure the quality and reliability of products and services. Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query may provide some transferable skills for Quality Assurance Analysts, such as identifying and resolving performance issues. By understanding how data is stored and retrieved, you can better assess the quality and performance of software products and services.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation. While Troubleshooting Your First Low-performing T-SQL Query may not directly relate to technical writing, its focus on explaining complex technical concepts can be transferable to writing effective technical documentation. By understanding how data is stored and retrieved, you can more accurately document database functionality and performance considerations.

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