Good morning folks,

Here's a couple new tips today to make life easier in SQL.  When analyzing queries there are two tools which are great for examining resource usage.  The first is the STATISTICS IO.  You can turn this on by setting the results to text, and prepending your query with the following:

This will allow you to view the table read and read-ahead data related to the query.  Once it's on it will stay on within the query window you use it in.

Here is a simple example of how it''s used:

Whenever I use this functioanlity I use it in tandem with an execution plan.  To activate your execution plan, right click on the query window in the query analyzer, and select "Include Actual Execution Plan".  You then run your query and a new tab will appear next to the results pane called "Execution Plan".  This will show the "path" that SQL takes in deciding how a query is processed.  When you hover over icons in this window you'll find that you can see the data pertaining to each specific element of the query as well.  Keep an eye out for "CONVERT" functions and "CAST" functions in this window, as preventing these by typing your data correct can save a lot of headaches.  Additionally you can see which indexes SQL uses to grab it's data.