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Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes

Gail Shaw

How should indexes be maintained? Do columnstore indexes need maintenance? What should I do about statistics? All those questions and more are answered in this course. See how to maintain your indexes to keep your database running smoothly.

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How should indexes be maintained? Do columnstore indexes need maintenance? What should I do about statistics? All those questions and more are answered in this course. See how to maintain your indexes to keep your database running smoothly.

Index maintenance is a complex topic, and one that's crucial for a well-performing database. In this course, Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes, you will learn foundational knowledge on how to keep your database and indexes well-maintained. First, you will explore missing and unused indexes, looking at how the indexes used by the system change over time. Next, you will discover why indexes, rowstore, and columnstore need maintenance and how to best perform that maintenance. Finally, you will learn how to perform statistics maintenance, allowing you to ensure that the Query Optimizer gets the information it needs to generate good execution plans. When you are finished with this course, you will have the skills and knowledge of index maintenance needed to keep your database running smoothly.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Overview of Index Maintenance
Review Index Usage and Identify Potential Missing Indexes
Maintaining Rowstore Indexes
Read more
Maintaining Columnstore Indexes
Maintaining Statistics
Summary and Further Reading

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches index maintenance, which is standard in the database industry
Taught by Gail Shaw, who is recognized for their work in database optimization
Covers index maintenance across rowstore and columnstore, which are fundamental to database optimization
Explores maintaining statistics, which is crucial for database performance
May require prior knowledge of database concepts, such as indexes and statistics
Assumes familiarity with SQL Server, which may limit its relevance for users of other database systems

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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 Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes with these activities:
Review database concepts
Improve your understanding of database fundamentals.
Browse courses on Databases
Show steps
  • Review your SQL syntax
  • Review the concepts of database normalization
  • Review the differences between rowstore and columnstore
Review High-Performance MySQL: Optimization, Backups, Replication, and More
Familiarize yourself with advanced MySQL concepts to optimize your database setup and maintenance.
View High Performance MySQL: Optimization, Backups,... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read chapters 1-3 to understand MySQL architecture and performance tuning basics.
  • Read chapters 4-6 to learn about indexing, query optimization, and performance monitoring.
Find a Mentor for SQL Server Index Maintenance
Seek guidance from an experienced professional to accelerate your learning and gain valuable insights.
Browse courses on SQL Server
Show steps
  • Identify potential mentors within your professional network or online communities.
  • Reach out to potential mentors and express your interest in learning about SQL Server index maintenance.
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Gather Resources on SQL Server Index Maintenance
Build a collection of valuable resources on SQL Server index maintenance for easy reference.
Browse courses on SQL Server
Show steps
  • Search for articles, white papers, and blog posts on SQL Server index maintenance.
  • Bookmark or save relevant resources in a centralized location, such as a digital folder or note-taking app.
Discuss index maintenance with peers
Engage with other students to exchange knowledge and perspectives on index maintenance.
Browse courses on Index Maintenance
Show steps
  • Find a study group or online forum
  • Post questions and share your experiences
  • Engage in discussions and debates
Follow Microsoft's Best Practices for SQL Server Index Maintenance
Stay up-to-date with Microsoft's recommended guidelines for maintaining indexes in SQL Server.
Browse courses on SQL Server
Show steps
  • Review Microsoft's white paper on index maintenance.
  • Attend webinars or online courses on SQL Server index maintenance best practices.
Follow tutorials on index maintenance
Acquire practical experience in maintaining SQL Server indexes.
Browse courses on Index Maintenance
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on index maintenance
  • Follow the steps in the tutorials
  • Experiment with different index maintenance techniques
Develop a Database Maintenance Plan
Create a comprehensive plan to ensure optimal performance and data integrity of your database.
Browse courses on Database Maintenance
Show steps
  • Identify critical database metrics and establish performance targets.
  • Develop a schedule for regular maintenance tasks, including index rebuilds, statistics updates, and data backups.
  • Implement automated monitoring and alerting mechanisms to proactively detect and address performance issues.
Participate in a Study Group for SQL Server Index Maintenance
Collaborate with peers to exchange knowledge and best practices on SQL Server index maintenance.
Browse courses on SQL Server
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group focused on SQL Server index maintenance.
  • Regularly meet to discuss index maintenance techniques, troubleshoot issues, and share resources.
SQL Server Index Tuning Exercises
Sharpen your skills in identifying and implementing optimal indexes for improved query performance.
Browse courses on Index Tuning
Show steps
  • Solve practice problems to identify missing and redundant indexes.
  • Analyze query plans to determine the effectiveness of existing indexes.
  • Create and test different index configurations to optimize query performance.
Build a database with real-world data
Apply your knowledge of index maintenance in a real-world setting.
Browse courses on Database Design
Show steps
  • Choose a dataset that you are interested in
  • Design a database schema
  • Import the data into your database
  • Create and maintain indexes on your tables
  • Query your database and analyze the performance

Career center

Learners who complete Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Database Administrator
Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes can help you become a more successful and effective Database Administrator. It is specifically designed to teach the foundational knowledge you need to keep your database and indexes well-maintained. This course will help you to identify and resolve issues with missing and unused indexes, and to perform index and statistic maintenance on rowstore and columnstore databases.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Data Architect
Data Architects must have a strong understanding of database maintenance, including how to optimize statistics and indexes. Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes will help you to build this knowledge and to develop the skills you need to design and implement effective database solutions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect
Database Developer
Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes is a valuable course for Database Developers who want to learn how to improve the performance of their databases. This course will help you to understand the basics of index maintenance, and how to use statistics to optimize query performance.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Developer
Business Intelligence Analyst
Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes may be useful for Business Intelligence Analysts who want to learn more about database optimization. This course will help you to understand the basics of index and statistic maintenance, and how to use these techniques to improve the performance of your BI queries.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Intelligence Analyst
Data Scientist
Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes may be useful for Data Scientists who want to learn more about database optimization. This course will help you to understand the basics of index and statistic maintenance, and how to use these techniques to improve the performance of your data science queries.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Software Engineer
Software Engineers who work with databases may find Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes to be helpful. This course will teach you the basics of index and statistic maintenance, and how to use these techniques to improve the performance of your applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
IT Manager
IT Managers who are responsible for managing databases may find Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes to be useful. This course will help you to understand the basics of index and statistic maintenance, and how to use these techniques to improve the performance of your databases.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts who work with databases may find Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes to be helpful. This course will teach you the basics of index and statistic maintenance, and how to use these techniques to improve the performance of your systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst
Database Consultant
Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes may be useful for Database Consultants who want to learn more about database optimization. This course will help you to understand the basics of index and statistic maintenance, and how to use these techniques to improve the performance of your clients' databases.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Consultant
Data Warehouse Architect
Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes may be useful for Data Warehouse Architects who want to learn more about database optimization. This course will help you to understand the basics of index and statistic maintenance, and how to use these techniques to improve the performance of your data warehouses.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Warehouse Architect
Performance Engineer
Performance Engineers who work with databases may find Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes to be helpful. This course will teach you the basics of index and statistic maintenance, and how to use these techniques to improve the performance of your systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Performance Engineer
Web Developer
Web Developers who work with databases may find Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes to be helpful. This course will teach you the basics of index and statistic maintenance, and how to use these techniques to improve the performance of your web applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer
Network Administrator
Network Administrators who work with databases may find Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes to be helpful. This course will teach you the basics of index and statistic maintenance, and how to use these techniques to improve the performance of your networks.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator
Cloud Engineer
Cloud Engineers who work with databases may find Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes to be helpful. This course will teach you the basics of index and statistic maintenance, and how to use these techniques to improve the performance of your cloud-based applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer
Data Analyst
Data Analysts who work with databases may find Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes to be helpful. This course will teach you the basics of index and statistic maintenance, and how to use these techniques to improve the performance of your data analysis queries.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes.
Cover image
Query Store for SQL Server 2019
Save
A comprehensive guide to interpreting and optimizing SQL Server execution plans. serves as a valuable reference tool, particularly for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of query optimization.
Query Store for SQL Server 2019: Identify and Fix...
Paperback
$$
Query Store for SQL Server 2019: Identify and Fix...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Database Systems: The Complete Book
Save
A comprehensive textbook that covers many aspects of database management systems, including indexing, statistics, and query optimization. It would be an excellent resource for those who want to build a strong foundation in database fundamentals.
Database Systems: The Complete Book
Kindle Edition
$$$
Database Systems The Complete Book
Paperback
$$
Database Systems: The Complete Book
Hardcover
$$$$
Goal Student Access Code Card for Database Systems:...
Printed Access Code
$$
Cover image
SQL Server MVP Deep Dives, Volume 2
Save
A collection of articles from leading SQL Server experts on various topics, including index design and optimization. would be a valuable reference for those who want to learn from the best.
SQL Server MVP Deep Dives, Volume 2
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Exam Ref 70-535 Architecting Microsoft Azure...
Save
A practical guide to tuning SQL Server queries for better performance. It covers techniques for identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks, which would be a useful complement to this course.
Exam Ref 70-535 Architecting Microsoft Azure...
Paperback
Check
Exam Ref 70-535 Architecting Microsoft Azure...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Fundamentals of Database Management Systems
Save
A comprehensive guide to data management fundamentals, including chapters on data modeling, data warehousing, and data mining. would be a good starting point for those who want to build a strong foundation in these areas.
Fundamentals of Database Management Systems
Hardcover
$$$$
Fundamentals of Database Management Systems
Paperback
$$$
[(Fundamentals of Database Management Systems )]...
Unknown Binding
$$$$
Fundamentals of Database Management Systems, 2nd...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Fundamentals of Database Management Systems, 3rd...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
T-SQL Querying
Save
A comprehensive guide to SQL Server performance tuning. It covers topics such as query optimization, index design, and hardware configuration. would be a valuable resource for those who want to learn how to improve the performance of their SQL Server databases.
T-SQL Querying (Developer Reference)
Paperback
$$$
T-SQL Querying (Developer Reference)
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
SQL Tuning
Save
A practical guide to tuning SQL queries. It covers techniques for identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks. would be a useful resource for those who want to learn how to improve the performance of their SQL queries.
SQL Tuning: Generating Optimal Execution Plans
Paperback
$$
SQL Tuning: Generating Optimal Execution Plans
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
SQL Server Execution Plans
Save
A practical guide to interpreting and optimizing SQL Server execution plans. would be a useful resource for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of query optimization.
SQL Server Execution Plans: Third Edition
Paperback
$$
SQL Server Execution Plans
Paperback
$$
SQL Server Execution Plans
Paperback
$$
SQL Server Execution Plans by Grant Fritchey (12...
Unknown Binding
$$$
SQL Server Execution Plans
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
SQL Performance Tuning
Save
A comprehensive guide to database administration, including chapters on index management and query optimization. While this book covers a broad range of topics, it can still be a useful reference for those who want to learn more about these areas.
SQL Performance Tuning
Paperback
$$

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Designing and Implementing SQL Server Database Indexes
Course image
Time
109 hours
Level
Advanced
Via
Pluralsight
Instructor
Gail Shaw
Language
English
This course belongs to a collection called Developing SQL Server Databases. It's comprised of ten courses:
  1. Designing and Implementing SQL Server Tables and Views
  2. Designing and Implementing SQL Server Database Indexes
  3. Programming SQL Server Database Stored Procedures
  4. Programming SQL Server Database Triggers and Functions
  5. Managing SQL Server Database Concurrency
  6. Using Memory-optimized Tables and Native Stored Procedures
  7. Optimizing SQL Server Statistics and Indexes (viewing)
  8. Analyzing SQL Server Query Plans
  9. Managing SQL Server Database Performance
  10. Managing Azure SQL Server Database Performance
Good to know
Teaches index maintenance, which is standard in the database industry
Taught by Gail Shaw, who is recognized for their work in database optimization
Covers index maintenance across rowstore and columnstore, which are fundamental to database optimization
Explores maintaining statistics, which is crucial for database performance
May require prior knowledge of database concepts, such as indexes and statistics
Assumes familiarity with SQL Server, which may limit its relevance for users of other database systems
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