When you pass in a query, how does SQL Server build the results?
It sounds really simple, but we all take so much for granted.
SQL Server stores most data in 8KB pages – kinda like spreadsheet pages. For example, here’s a simulated 8KB page from the dbo.Users table in the Stack Overflow public database:
In a free live How to Think Like the SQL Server Engine webcast on April 7th, I’ll walk you through how SQL Server uses these spreadsheet pages to deliver your query results.
I will give you a scenario: I’m the end user sending in queries, and the SQL Server engine is my client. Using simple spreadsheets as tables, you’ll learn how SQL Server builds execution plans, uses indexes, performs joins, and considers statistics.
This one-hour session is for DBAs and developers who are comfortable writing queries, but not so comfortable when it comes to explaining nonclustered indexes, lookups, sargability, and fill factor.
To prep for the session, download and print out this 3-page PDF, and then register for the session here. See you there!
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Brent, this was the video that really got me into SQL as a career. Thanks to you. Hope Iceland is treating you well.
Awesome, great to hear!
I’ve got to disagree with the “This one-hour session is for DBAs and developers who are comfortable writing queries, but not so comfortable when it comes to explaining nonclustered indexes, lookups, sargability, and fill factor.” part. This session is always good. I’ve watched you do this presentation numerous times and I always walk away with something. I either learn something new, it helps cement my understanding of a concept or it acts as a restore for some lost bit of knowledge I once had that was overwritten by classic rock lyrics or some other nonsense.
Hahaha, thanks for disagreeing! I’ll take that.
Looking forward. Rave reviews by my coworkers!