Introduction
Elements of this syllabus are subject to change.
This three-day instructor-led workshop provides database developers working in enterprise environments using
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 the knowledge and skills to evaluate and improve queries and query response times.
The workshop focuses on systematic identification and optimization of database factors that impact query
Performance.
Audience
This course is intended for current professional database developers who have three or more years of on-the- job experience developing SQL Server database solutions in an enterprise environment.
At Course Completion
After attending this course, students will be able to:
Normalize databases.
Design a normalized database.
Optimize a database design by denormalizing.
Optimize data storage
Manage concurrency
Manage concurrency by selecting the appropriate transaction isolation level.
Select a locking granularity level.
Optimize and tune queries for performance
Optimize an indexing strategy
Decide when cursors are appropriate
Identify and resolve performance-limiting problems
:: Course 2784A ::
Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students must:
Have working knowledge of data storage. Specifically, knowledge about row layout, fixed length field placement and varying length field placement.
Be familiar with index structures and index utilization. Specifically, they must understand the interaction between non-clustered indexes, clustered indexes and heaps. They must know why a covering index can improve performance
Have had hands-on database developer experience. Specifically, three years of experience as a full-time database developer in an enterprise environment
Be familiar with the locking model. Specifically, students should have an understanding of lock modes, lock objects and isolation levels and be familiar with process blocking
Understand Transact-SQL syntax and programming logic. Specifically, students should be completely fluent in advanced queries, aggregate queries, subqueries, user-defined functions, cursors, control of flow statements, CASE expressions, and all types of joins
Be able to design a database to third normal form (3NF) and know the trade offs when backing out of the fully normalized design (denormalization) and designing for performance and business requirements in addition to being familiar with design models, such as Star and Snowflake schemas
Have strong monitoring and troubleshooting skills, including using monitoring tools
Have basic knowledge of the operating system and platform. That is, how the operating system integrates with the database, what the platform or operating system can do, and how interaction between the operating system and the database works
Have basic knowledge of application architecture. That is, how applications can be designed in three layers, what applications can do, how interaction between the application and the database works, and how the interaction between the database and the platform or operating system works
Know how to use a data modeling tool
Be familiar with SQL Server 2005 features, tools, and technologies
Have a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 credential - or equivalent experience
In addition, it is recommended, but not required, that students have completed:
Course 2778, Writing Queries Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Transact-SQL.
Course 2779, Implementing a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database.
Course 2780, Maintaining a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database.
:: Course 2784A ::
COURSE OUTLINE
This unit provides students with an opportunity to measure database performance and identify database performance bottlenecks. Students will use a sample script to identify performance and concurrency problems, capture baseline performance, and prioritize identified problems for optimization.
Topics
Importance of Benchmarking
Key Measures for Query Performance: Sysmon
Key Measures for Query Performance: Profiler
Guidelines for Identifying Locking and Blocking
Lab: Measuring Database Performance
Reviewing Tables and Scripts
Determining Performance Baselines
Prioritizing Identified Problems
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Describe best practices for measuring performance.
Describe the key Sysmon counters for problem identification.
Describe the key Profiler trace events for problem identification.
Select best methods for identifying which procedures are causing locking and blocking.
Review database tables and scripts.
Use a script to identify performance and concurrency problems.
Capture baseline performance.
Prioritize identified problems.
In this unit, students work with strategies for optimizing physical database design. Students will optimize a database schema using normalization, generalization, and denormalization.
:: Course 2784A ::
Topics
Performance Optimization Model
Schema Optimization Strategy: Keys
Schema Optimization Strategy: Responsible Denormalization
Schema Optimization Strategy: Generalization
Lab: Optimizing Schemas
Optimizing Memberships
Optimizing Events
Normalizing Event Sponsorships
Denormalizing Membership Visits
Cleaning Up Schema
Adapting the Solution to the New Database Schema
Determining Performance
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Explain the strategy for database optimization presented in the Performance Optimization Model.
Explain the importance of schema design in database optimization.
Describe the strategic use of natural and surrogate keys and their roles in schema optimization.
Describe responsible denormalization and the role of this strategy in schema optimization
Describe generalization and the role of this strategy in schema optimization
Normalize a database schema for optimization
Generalize a database schema for optimization
Denormalize a database schema for optimization
Clean up database schema by verifying and adjusting data types and verifying referential integrity
Convert data to the new schema
Correct table and column names in queries, stored procedures, and triggers to reconcile schema changes
Test for performance
:: Course 2784A ::
In this unit students experience optimizing and tuning queries to improve performance. In the lab, students will optimize stored procedures, views, and non-cursor aggregate queries to improve database performance and user experience. Each query that is optimized improves the overall system because the query will use fewer resources, freeing up those resources for other queries, and reducing the amount of locking done by the query.
The domino effect is profound.
Topics
Performance Optimization Model: Queries
What Is Query Logical Flow?
Considerations for Using Subqueries
Guidelines for Building Efficient Queries
Lab: Optimizing Queries
Optimizing and Rewriting Slow Performing Stored Procedures
Optimizing and Rewriting Slow Performing Views
Optimizing and Rewriting Slow Performing Non-Cursor Aggregate Queries
Determining Performance
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Explain the importance of set-based solutions in database optimization.
Explain the utility of the query logical flow diagram in query optimization.
Discuss considerations when using subqueries in query optimization.
Describe strategies for building efficient queries
Rewrite stored procedures for optimization
Rewrite views for optimization
Rewrite non-cursor aggregate queries for optimization
Test queries for performance
:: Course 2784A ::
In this unit, students will work with strategies for refactoring cursors into queries. In the lab, students will work to optimize a database by replacing slow iterative code with faster set-based code.
Topics
Performance Optimization Model: Query-Set-based solutions
Five Steps to Building a Cursor
Strategies for Refactoring Cursors
Lab: Refactoring Cursors into Queries
Refactoring the pMembershipCategory Cursor
Refactoring the pCommunityImpact Cursor
Refactoring the pMemberInvitation Cursor
Determining Performance
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Explain the importance of set-based solutions in database optimization.
List five steps to building a cursor.
Describe strategies for refactoring cursors.
Refactor cursors into queries by rebuilding cursor logic as multiple queries, user-defined function, and complex queries with case expression.
Test queries for performance.
In this unit, students will work on optimizing indexing strategies. Students will work with a given database to add and delete indexes, by providing the optimum bridge between the query and the data without any
Redundancies.
Topics
Performance Optimization Model: Indexes
Considerations for Using Indexes
Best Uses of the Clustered Index
Best Practices for Non-Clustered Index Design
How to Document an Indexing Strategy
:: Course 2784A ::
Lab: Optimizing an Indexing Strategy
Identifying Tables to Optimize
Designing Indexes
Determining Performance
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Explain the importance of optimizing index strategies in database optimization.
Explain considerations for using indexes in database optimization.
Describe the best uses of clustered indexes as they relate to optimization.
Describe the best practices for designing non-clustered databases.
Explain the methodology for using an indexing strategy worksheet.
Determine tables that need to be optimized based on slow running code.
Design, implement, and adjust clustered and non-clustered indexes.
Test for performance.
This unit provides students with the opportunity to work with concurrency management. Students will look for concurrency issues and then solve them by optimizing transactions and adjusting the transaction isolation level.
Topics
Performance Optimization Model: Locking and Blocking
Multimedia - "How to Use Efficient Queries to Reduce Locking and Blocking"
Strategies to Reduce Locking and Blocking
Lab: Reducing Blocking
Identifying Code with Locking and Blocking Issues
Reducing Concurrency Issues
Determining Final Performance
:: Course 2784A ::
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Explain the importance of concurrency management in database optimization
Explain how efficient queries reduce locking and blocking
List strategies for reducing locking and blocking
Identify code with locking and blocking issues
Tighten and optimize logical transactions in code with concurrency issues
Adjust transaction isolation levels in code with concurrency issues
Test database for performance
Determine percentage gain on database performance from baseline
Programme scope, delivery arrangements and suitability are confirmed during enquiry.