How to quickly analyze a slow running query using SHOWPLAN_TEXT

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To quickly analyze a slow-running query, examine the query execution plan to determine what is causing the problem.

SET SHOWPLAN_TEXT causes SQL Server to return detailed information about how the statements are executed.

Eg:

USE Northwind;
GO
SET SHOWPLAN_TEXT ON;
GO
SELECT *
FROM Customers
WHERE CustomerID = 'ALFKI';
GO
SET SHOWPLAN_TEXT OFF;
GO

Displays how indexes are used:
--Clustered Index Seek(OBJECT:([Northwind].[dbo].[Customers].[PK_Customers]), SEEK:([Northwind].[dbo].[Customers].[CustomerID]=CONVERT_IMPLICIT(nvarchar(4000),[@1],0)) ORDERED FORWARD)

Some Important Points :

1. SET SHOWPLAN_TEXT cannot be specified when using a stored procedure

2. You need to have the SHOWPLAN permission while running SET SHOWPLAN_TEXT

Read more about it over here

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About The Author

Suprotim Agarwal, ASP.NET Architecture MVP works as an Architect Consultant and provides consultancy on how to design and develop Web applications.

Suprotim is also the founder and primary contributor to DevCurry, DotNetCurry and SQLServerCurry. He has also written an EBook 51 Recipes using jQuery with ASP.NET Controls.

Follow him on twitter @suprotimagarwal

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