Take a deep dive into perhaps the single most important facet of query performance-indexes-and how to best use them. Newly updated for SQL Server 2022 and Azure SQL, this fourth edition includes new guidance and features related to columnstore indexes, improved and consolidated content on Query Store, deeper content around Intelligent Query Processing, and other updates to help you optimize query execution and make performance improvements to even the most challenging workloads. The book begins with explanations of the types of indexes and how they are stored in a database. Moving further into the book, you will learn how statistics are critical for optimal index usage and how the Index Advisor can assist in reviewing and optimizing index health. This book helps you build a clear understanding of how indexes work, how to implement and use them, and the many options available to tame even the most large and complex workloads. What You Will Learn Properly index row store, columnstore, and memory-optimized tables Make use of Intelligent Query Processing for faster query results Review statistics to understand indexing choices made by the optimizer Apply indexing strategies such as covering indexes, included columns, and index intersections Recognize and remove unnecessary indexes Design effective indexes for full-text, spatial, and XML data types Who This Book Is For Azure SQL and SQL Server administrators and developers who are ready to improve the performance of their database environment by thoughtfully building indexes to speed up queries that matter the most and make a difference to the business

Meet the challenge of storing and accessing analytic data in SQL Server in a fast and performant manner. This book illustrates how columnstore indexes can provide an ideal solution for storing analytic data that leads to faster performing analytic queries and the ability to ask and answer business intelligence questions with alacrity. The book provides a complete walk through of columnstore indexing that encompasses an introduction, best practices, hands-on demonstrations, explanations of common mistakes, and presents a detailed architecture that is suitable for professionals of all skill levels. With little or no knowledge of columnstore indexing you can become proficient with columnstore indexes as used in SQL Server, and apply that knowledge in development, test, and production environments. This book serves as a comprehensive guide to the use of columnstore indexes and provides definitive guidelines. You will learn when columnstore indexes should be used, and the performance gains that you can expect. You will also become familiar with best practices around architecture, implementation, and maintenance. Finally, you will know the limitations and common pitfalls to be aware of and avoid. As analytic data can become quite large, the expense to manage it or migrate it can be high. This book shows that columnstore indexing represents an effective storage solution that saves time, money, and improves performance for any applications that use it. You will see that columnstore indexes are an effective performance solution that is included in all versions of SQL Server, with no additional costs or licensing required. What You Will Learn Implement columnstore indexes in SQL Server Know best practices for the use and maintenance of analytic data in SQL Server Use metadata to fully understand the size and shape of data stored in columnstore indexes Employ optimal ways to load, maintain, and delete data from large analytic tables Know how columnstore compression saves storage, memory, and time Understand when a columnstore index should be used instead of a rowstore index Be familiar with advanced features and analytics Who This Book Is For Database developers, administrators, and architects who are responsible for analytic data, especially for those working with very large data sets who are looking for new ways to achieve high performance in their queries, and those with immediate or future challenges to analytic data and query performance who want a methodical and effective solution

Take a deep dive into the many uses of dynamic SQL in Microsoft SQL Server. This edition has been updated to use the newest features in SQL Server 2016 and SQL Server 2017 as well as incorporating the changing landscape of analytics and database administration. Code examples have been updated with new system objects and functions to improve efficiency and maintainability. Executing dynamic SQL is key to large-scale searching based on user-entered criteria. Dynamic SQL can generate lists of values and even code with minimal impact on performance. Dynamic SQL enables dynamic pivoting of data for business intelligence solutions as well as customizing of database objects. Yet dynamic SQL is feared by many due to concerns over SQL injection or code maintainability. Dynamic SQL: Applications, Performance, and Security in Microsoft SQL Server helps you bring the productivity and user-satisfaction of flexible and responsive applications to your organization safely and securely. Your organization's increased ability to respond to rapidly changing business scenarios will build competitive advantage in an increasingly crowded and competitive global marketplace. With a focus on new applications and modern database architecture, this edition illustrates that dynamic SQL continues to evolve and be a valuable tool for administration, performance optimization, and analytics. What You'ill Learn Build flexible applications that respond to changing business needs Take advantage of creative, innovative, and productive uses of dynamic SQL Know about SQL injection and be confident in your defenses against it Address performance concerns in stored procedures and dynamic SQL Troubleshoot and debug dynamic SQL to ensure correct results Automate your administration of features within SQL Server Who This Book is For Developers and database administrators looking to hone and build their T-SQL coding skills. The book is ideal for developers wanting to plumb the depths of application flexibility and troubleshoot performance issues involving dynamic SQL. The book is also ideal for programmers wanting to learn what dynamic SQL is about and how it can help them deliver competitive advantage to their organizations.