New Horizons Computer Learning Center
410-597-9722

2784: Tuning and Optimizing Queries Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Course Length: 3 Days

Overview:
This three-day instructor-led workshop provides database developers working in enterprise environments using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 the knowledge and skills to evaluate and improve queries and query response times. The workshop focuses on systematic identification and optimization of database factors that impact query performance.

Prerequisites:
Writing Queries Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Transact-SQL
Course 2779: Implementing a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database
Course 2780: Maintaining a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database

Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Normalize databases
• Design a normalized database
• Optimize a database design by denormalizing
• Optimize data storage
• Manage concurrency
• Manage concurrency by selecting the appropriate transaction isolation level
• Select a locking granularity level
• Optimize and tune queries for performance
• Optimize an indexing strategy
• Decide when cursors are appropriate
• Identify and resolve performance-limiting problems

Course Content

Lesson 1: Measuring Database Performance

• Importance of Benchmarking
• Key Measures for Query Performance: Sysmon
• Key Measures for Query Performance: Profiler
• Guidelines for Identifying Locking and Blocking
• Lab: Measuring Database Performance
• Reviewing Tables and Scripts
• Determining Performance Baselines
• Prioritizing Identified Problems

Lesson 2: Optimizing Physical Database Design

• Performance Optimization Model
• Schema Optimization Strategy: Keys
• Schema Optimization Strategy: Responsible Denormalization
• Schema Optimization Strategy: Generalization
• Lab: Optimizing Schemas
• Optimizing Memberships
• Optimizing Events
• Normalizing Event Sponsorships
• Denormalizing Membership Visits
• Cleaning Up Schema
• Adapting the Solution to the New Database Schema
• Determining Performance

Lesson 3: Optimizing Queries for Performance

• Performance Optimization Model: Queries
• What Is Query Logical Flow?
• Considerations for Using Subqueries
• Guidelines for Building Efficient Queries
• Lab: Optimizing Queries
• Optimizing and Rewriting Slow Performing Stored Procedures
• Optimizing and Rewriting Slow Performing Views
• Optimizing and Rewriting Slow Performing Non-Cursor Aggregate Queries
• Determining Performance

Lesson 4: Refactoring Cursors into Queries

• Performance Optimization Model: Query-Set-based solutions
• Five Steps to Building a Cursor
• Strategies for Refactoring Cursors
• Lab: Refactoring Cursors into Queries
• Refactoring the pMembershipCategory Cursor
• Refactoring the pCommunityImpact Cursor
• Refactoring the pMemberInvitation Cursor
• Determining Performance

Lesson 5: Optimizing an Indexing Strategy

• Performance Optimization Model: Indexes
• Considerations for Using Indexes
• Best Uses of the Clustered Index
• Best Practices for Non-Clustered Index Design
• How to Document an Indexing Strategy
• Lab: Optimizing an Indexing Strategy
• Identifying Tables to Optimize
• Designing Indexes
• Determining Performance

Lesson 6: Managing Concurrency

• Performance Optimization Model: Locking and Blocking
• Multimedia - "How to Use Efficient Queries to Reduce Locking and Blocking"
• Strategies to Reduce Locking and Blocking
• Lab: Reducing Blocking
• Identifying Code with Locking and Blocking Issues
• Reducing Concurrency Issues
• Determining Final Performance

6940 Tudsbury Road, Baltimore, MD 21244
P: 410-597-9722
www.nhbaltimore.com