As a SQL Server developer or administrator, you know the importance of optimizing your queries for better performance. In today’s blog post, we will discuss the book “SQL Server Query Tuning and Optimization” by Benjamin Nevarez and explore some of the key concepts and ideas covered in the book.

First and foremost, it’s important to note that this book is aimed at individuals with a moderate level of SQL Server knowledge. If you are new to SQL or have limited experience, you may find some of the content challenging. However, don’t let that discourage you! The book still offers valuable insights that can benefit junior SQL professionals.

The book begins with a review of essential topics such as execution plans, statistics, and performance monitoring tools like STATISTICS TIME and IO. This review serves as a solid foundation for building advanced optimization skills. It’s always beneficial to revisit the basics and reinforce your understanding of fundamental concepts.

One of the highlights of the book is the in-depth coverage of collecting information using Dynamic Management Views (DMVs), Dynamic Management Functions (DMFs), traces, extended events, and the data collector. While the data collector may not be widely used, understanding its capabilities broadens your knowledge and equips you with a comprehensive toolkit for troubleshooting and performance tuning.

Furthermore, the book delves into the internals of SQL Server, exploring topics such as how the optimizer works, different types of operators, statistics, and query hints. This level of detail may be more suitable for experienced professionals, but it provides valuable insights into the inner workings of SQL Server and empowers you to make informed decisions when optimizing queries.

Although the book briefly mentions Query Store, it’s worth noting that Benjamin Nevarez covers this topic in more detail in his book “High-Performance SQL Server.” If you are particularly interested in Query Store, you may consider exploring that resource for a deeper understanding.

In conclusion, “SQL Server Query Tuning and Optimization” by Benjamin Nevarez is a valuable resource for SQL Server professionals looking to enhance their query optimization skills. Whether you are a junior developer or an experienced administrator, this book offers insights and techniques that can help you improve the performance of your SQL queries.

So, if you’re ready to take your SQL Server optimization skills to the next level, consider investing in a copy of this book. It’s a worthwhile investment that will pay off in terms of improved query performance and efficiency.