Database tuning can be an extremely challenging task, especially when the developers are dealing with a huge amount of data. This is when even the smallest modification can affect the performance, whether positive or negative.
In large and mid-sized companies, the Database Administrator handles the majority of database performance tuning and monitoring. DBA Services recognises the need to work with a service provider to ensure the optimum performance of their systems.
Below are some techniques developers can use to get a better understanding of database tuning.
Database Optimisation: Indexes
If you are a stranger to database management and are unsure what SQL tuning is, then you should recognise indexing as an efficient method to adjust your SQL database. This is one of the processes frequently ignored during development but is actually quite beneficial.
To give you an idea, the index is the data structure that increases the retrieval speed of operations on a database table. It provides quick random searches and a proficient access to ordered files. Once you create the index, you can sort or choose rows quicker than before.
Moreover, you can use indexes to outline a distinct index or a primary key to ensure that other columns do not have similar values. Generally, the aim is to index the ordering and major searching columns.
SQL Server Performance Tuning: Execution Plans
In the SQL Server, you can use the Execution Plan when creating indexes. Its primary purpose is to graphically show the data retrieval processes that the SQL Server query optimiser selected. In the SQL Server Management Studio, recover the execution plan by pressing CTRL + M or by clicking “Include Actual Execution Plan” before running your query.
After that, the “Execution Plan” tab will appear and you will see a missing index detected. Create it by right clicking on the execution plan and selecting “Missing Index Details”. It is as simple as that. Employ the above guidelines to work smoothly with DBAs and to reduce the risks of problems in the future.
