SQL Server 2008 Query Performance Tuning Distilled presents a direct trouble-shooting methodology for identifying poorly performing stored procedures and queries, isolating the causes of that poor performance, and fixing the underlying problems. Each chapter is dedicated to one of the top causes of poorly performing queries and shows methods for identifying and dealing with the problems in that chapter's domain. Emphasis is always put upon or placed upon practical methods that you can put to immediate use in your day-to-day work. SQL Server 2008 functionality, tips, and tricks are emphasized in each subject area.

• Emphasizes the practical. Does not bury readers in theory.

• Gives readers practical techniques to immediately apply in their daily work.

• Dedicates a chapter to each of the most common, performance-related problem areas.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 8 Ratings

Much more than just query performance tuning - 2009-09-20
Reviewer Rating:
In order to make your database fast, you need to understand how SQL Server works at a high level: how it manages memory, how indexes and tables are stored on disk, and so on. The authors provide this information at just the right level of detail.

This is an invaluable book that provides performance help from multiple directions. In addition to helping you create individual fast queries, it also helps you figure out which queries are slow and why in a running system. The authors' approach includes bottleneck analysis and resolution and extends from the OS and the hardware level down to tweaks and hints on individual queries. They also cover how to analyze query plans, using the SQL profiler, analyzing indexes, using the tuning adviser, analyzing statistics, analyzing and mitigating fragmentation, deadlocks and blocking, and workload optimization.

This book is an updated version of the second edition of SQL Server Query Performance Tuning Distilled by Sajal Dam that includes specifics for SQL 2008. Although the outline of the content is close to the last version, it includes many updates, including new figures and examples. If you have the old version and liked it, you will find the update useful too.

I don't care for the "comma-first" T-SQL formatting style, though. I also wish they would switch to using physical I/O measurements for performance comparisons instead of logical I/Os, since a reduction in physical I/O more directly translates to a visible performance improvement. However, those are very minor points in what is otherwise a classic and wonderful book.

The only book you need for MS-SQL tuning, period! - 2009-10-14
Reviewer Rating:
This is book is a masterpiece. It is true that the basic concepts behind Indexes, statistics and query tuning have not changed a lot since probably SQL2000 but those concepts and the way SQL2008 handles them are explained here in an outstanding manner.

The author starts every chapter with a bit of theory (a paragraph or two) about the particular topic he's ready to explain. Next.... there is a demonstration of "why is bad" not following the theory (via a T-SQL statement) and then a similar example but this time following the good MS-SQL practice (again, with another T-SQL query) Very straightforward and practical approach which makes this book a good one because that's exactly what you need on a SQL performance tuning book: quick solutions and answers via examples.

Chapters #4 - Indexes is my favorite. You will get a full explanation of why your queries are running slow or how you can make them run faster; everything with real examples and real code. On this particular chapter author(s) help you to identify potential pitfalls in terms of Index selection and the main differences in query behavior between Non-clustered and Clustered Indexes on your tables and when to apply either of them.

I also love the book organization. There is a logical order that I suggest to follow: from start to finish; very easy and general techniques at the very beginning and more in-depth and detailed tuning techniques at the end. But still if you jump into the subject you want or need you will catch the concepts easily without feeling lost.

Amazing book! This book deserves a slot in your book-shelve.

Very useful book to have - 2009-10-05
Reviewer Rating:
I like the way the author explains the different topics this book covers. I was able to understand and find answers to several questions that I had. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn more about tuning queries, indexes, and execution plans.

Fantastic troubleshooting book! - 2009-09-17
Reviewer Rating:
This is a great bookshelf companion for anyone dealing with SQL Server. While some of the specific details are geared to SQL Server 2008 (and beyond), many of the concepts have remained unchanged and can help no matter what version(s) you are working with.

Whether you want to learn how to troubleshoot from a logical standpoint, or you are in the midst of putting out a 5-alarm fire, this book has you covered. Grant and Sajal have provided great insight into how to approach troubleshooting, with very digestible explanations of execution plans, re/compilation, trace and index optimizations, among many others.

Highly recommended.

Knowledgeable author(s)// Great Resource - 2009-05-10
Reviewer Rating:
I bought this book because I have interacted with Grant Fritchey online at SQLServerCentral and through JumpstartTV and I was always impressed with his knowledge of SQL Server and Performance tuning. So when the book came out I decided I needed to add it to my library. I was not disappointed. It is not too advanced for relative beginners, but not too simple for more advanced DBA's and developers. No matter what level you are at there is something you can learn.

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