query-optimization

---
name: "query-optimization"
description: "Comprehensive guide to T-SQL query optimization for SQL Server and Azure SQL Database. Optimize from verified evidence: schema, data types, indexes, row counts, partitioning, execution plans, and allowed change types."
license: "MIT"
---

# Query Optimization

Comprehensive guide to T-SQL query optimization for SQL Server and Azure SQL Database. Optimize from verified evidence: schema, data types, indexes, row counts, partitioning, execution plans, and allowed change types.

## Mandatory Workflow

### 1. Schema-First Validation

Before recommending rewrites, indexes, or hints, verify or mark unknown:

- SQL Server version, edition, compatibility level, and Azure SQL tier if applicable.
- Full query/procedure text, parameter values, frequency, and runtime target.
- DDL for tables, views, temp tables, table variables, and TVFs.
- Data types for join, filter, grouping, ordering, and temp-table columns, including length, precision, scale, collation, and nullability.
- Existing indexes, constraints, statistics age, partition function/scheme, and row counts.
- Whether objects are local or linked-server/remote sources.
- Allowed change types: query rewrite, new index, huge-table index change, stats update, staging table, computed column, or no code change.

Use `../_shared/optimization-intake.md` and `../_shared/assumption-tracker.md`. If key facts are missing, provide conditional guidance plus diagnostics instead of final prescriptions.

### 2. Identify the Root Bottleneck

Use actual execution plans and `STATISTICS IO, TIME` when possible. Rank findings by measured impact, not just estimated plan percentage:

- High logical reads or row reads.
- Bad estimate vs actual row gaps.
- Scans caused by non-SARGable predicates or missing access paths.
- Key lookups multiplied by many executions.
- Sort/hash/window spills from poor estimates or missing order.
- Remote queries that fail to push predicates or joins to the linked server.

For detailed `.sqlplan` inspection, load `tsql-master:execution-plan-analysis`.

### 3. Fix SARGability and Type Mismatches

SARGable predicates can use ordered index access. Avoid functions or conversions on indexed columns.

| Non-SARGable | Safer pattern |
|---|---|
| `WHERE YEAR(OrderDate) = 2026` | `WHERE OrderDate >= '20260101' AND OrderDate < '20270101'` |
| `WHERE LEFT(Name, 3) = 'ABC'` | `WHERE Name LIKE 'ABC%'` |
| `WHERE Amount * 1.1 > 1000` | `WHERE Amount > 1000 / 1.1` |
| `WHERE CONVERT(date, Dt) = @d` | `WHERE Dt >= @d AND Dt < DATEADD(day, 1, @d)` |
| `WHERE VarcharCol = 123` | `WHERE VarcharCol = '123'` |

Check actual data types. A syntactically SARGable predicate can still scan if a parameter, temp column, or join key has the wrong type or collation.

### 4. Prove Join Changes

Never remove or replace joins only because selected columns come from one table. Prove:

- **Does the join filter rows?** Compare base count vs joined count and check trusted foreign keys.
- **Does the join multiply rows?** Check uniqueness on the joined key and duplicates in the referenced table.
- **Can it be replaced with `EXISTS`?** Use a semi-join when only existence is needed and row multiplication must be avoided.
- **Are outer joins preserved?** Predicates in `WHERE` can accidentally convert `LEFT JOIN` to inner join.

Move join-removal experiments into a proof harness and validate equivalence with `EXCEPT` in both directions. See `references/rewrite-proof-harnesses.md`.

### 5. Check Temp Tables and Staging Types

Temp tables are often the right optimization tool, but bad types can create hidden conversions.

Before using or recommending a temp table:

- Compare staged column types against source metadata.
- Match string length and collation for join/filter columns.
- Match numeric precision/scale and date/time precision.
- Add appropriate clustered or nonclustered indexes after load when row counts justify them.
- Update temp-table statistics when phased optimization depends on accurate cardinality.

Flag mismatches as first-order findings because they can invalidate plan analysis and index recommendations. Use the checker in `references/rewrite-proof-harnesses.md`.

### 6. Select the Rewrite Template

Choose the least invasive rewrite that addresses the verified bottleneck:

| Situation | Template |
|---|---|
| Highly selective predicate before huge joins | Stage selective keys first, index the stage, then join. |
| Huge detail table aggregated later | Aggregate early if grouping preserves semantics. |
| Join only tests existence | Replace row-producing join with `EXISTS`. |
| OR across different columns | Split into `UNION ALL` branches with duplicate guards. |
| Catch-all optional predicates | Dynamic SQL or targeted recompilation; avoid `Col = @p OR @p IS NULL` for hot paths. |
| Unsafe partition predicate | Rewrite to direct typed range on partition column. |
| Bad estimates from table variables/TVFs | Use temp tables, inline TVFs, or recompile depending on version and workload. |

Do not stage huge unfiltered tables or aggregate early unless the row reduction and semantic equivalence are proven.

## Parameter Sensitivity

Parameter sniffing occurs when a plan compiled for one value is reused for a very different value. Confirm skew and compile/runtime values before applying fixes.

| Option | Best for | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| `OPTION (RECOMPILE)` | Infrequent or highly variable statements | Adds compile CPU; plan not reused. |
| `OPTIMIZE FOR (@p = value)` | Stable representative value | Can age badly as data changes. |
| `OPTIMIZE FOR UNKNOWN` | Average distribution is acceptable | Can be mediocre for all cases. |
| Dynamic SQL | Optional predicates and varied shapes | Requires safe parameterization. |
| Query Store hints | SQL Server 2022+ or Azure SQL, no code change | Monitor regressions. |
| PSP optimization | SQL Server 2022+ with compatibility 160 | Only applies to eligible patterns. |

## Execution Plan Checks

Watch these operators and warnings:

| Plan evidence | Likely action |
|---|---|
| Scan with residual predicate | Fix SARGability, key order, or filtered index. |
| Seek with high rows read | Add more selective key columns or rewrite residual predicate. |
| Key lookup repeated many times | Cover query or reduce outer rows first. |
| Sort spill or hash spill | Fix estimates, reduce rows/width, add order-compatible index. |
| `CONVERT_IMPLICIT` on column | Align parameter/temp/source data types. |
| Estimate off by 10x+ | Check stats, skew, table variables, predicates, constraints. |
| Missing-index warning | Treat as candidate only; merge with existing indexes and workload. |

## Statistics and Cardinality

Use statistics work when evidence points to stale or insufficient estimates:

```sql
DBCC SHOW_STATISTICS('dbo.TableName', 'IndexOrStatsName');
UPDATE STATISTICS dbo.TableName IndexOrStatsName WITH FULLSCAN;
```

For large partitioned tables, evaluate incremental statistics and filtered stats. Do not run broad fullscan updates in production without maintenance-window and blocking considerations.

## Output Format

Respond with:

1. **Intake status**: verified, unverified, disproved, needs diagnostic.
2. **Bottleneck evidence**: plan nodes, reads, rows, estimates, warnings.
3. **Recommendation path**: rewrite, index/stat change, or diagnostic, separated by allowed change type.
4. **Proof harness**: result equivalence and before/after performance metrics.
5. **Risks**: parameter sensitivity, write overhead, blocking, partition safety, remote pushdown.

## References

- `../_shared/optimization-intake.md` - mandatory intake checklist.
- `../_shared/assumption-tracker.md` - assumption status protocol.
- `references/rewrite-proof-harnesses.md` - join proof, temp type checker, and rewrite templates.
- `references/dmv-diagnostic-queries.md` - DMV queries for performance analysis.