How to quickly analyze a slow running query using SHOWPLAN_TEXT

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

About The Author

Suprotim Agarwal, MCSD, MCAD, MCDBA, MCSE, is the founder of DotNetCurry, DNC Magazine for Developers, SQLServerCurry and DevCurry. He has also authored a couple of books 51 Recipes using jQuery with ASP.NET Controls and a new one recently at The Absolutely Awesome jQuery CookBook.

Suprotim has received the prestigous Microsoft MVP award for nine times in a row now. In a professional capacity, he is the CEO of A2Z Knowledge Visuals Pvt Ltd, a digital group that represents premium web sites and digital publications comprising of Professional web, windows, mobile and cloud developers, technical managers, and architects.

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