Summary

Transact-SQL provides a wealth of query tuning techniques. Properly designing your databases and constructing queries to take advantage of your design are at the top of the list. Sound database designs and optimal queries work in harmony with one another.

Performance tuning is a complex topic that could easily fill several books all by itself. The key to successful tuning is to know your tools, know how the server works, and have the tenacity to work through performance problems in an iterative fashion.