The SQL Server 6.5 Performance Optimization and Tuning Handbook [Paperback]

Ken England Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and a Microsoft Certified Trainer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 1997

The SQL Server 6.5 Performance Optimization and Tuning Handbook takes a detailed look at the factors that influence database performance, beginning with good physical design. The internal storage structures are covered next, because an understanding of these is essential to performance tuning. The critical subject of indexes is then discussed, followed by the query optimizer, which is perhaps the most crucial SQL Server performance topic. Making mistakes in these areas can mean the difference between a query taking seconds or literally hours.


SQL Server is highly integrated with Windows NT and so it is crucial that it and Windows NT are both optimized to work together. The book covers the extent of this integration, how to detect CPU, memory and disk bottlenecks and how to overcome them. In a multi-user system, the biggest performance headache is probably locking and this subject is discussed in detail with many example scenarios. Once an efficient physical design has been obtained it is necessary to monitor performance, and a chapter is devoted to the performance monitoring tools available with SQL Server. Finally, a performance, tuning and optimization checklist is provided as an aid for the database administrator.

· Follow up to The SQL Server Handbook
· Detailed look at factors that influence database performance
· Covers internal storage structures, indexes, and integrating SQL with Windows NT

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

SQL Server is highly integrated with Windows NT and so it is crucial that it and Windows NT are both optimized to work together. The book covers the extent of this integration, how to detect CPU, memory and disk bottlenecks and how to overcome them. In a multi-user system, the biggest performance headache is probably locking and this subject is discussed in detail with many example scenarios. Once an efficient physical design has been obtained it is necessary to monitor performance, and a chapter is devoted to the performance monitoring tools available with SQL Server. Finally, a performance, tuning and optimization checklist is provided as an aid for the database administrator.

About the Author

Ken England is President and Founder of Database Technologies, a database consulting, product evaluation and training firm. A Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and a Microsoft Certified Trainer, Ken England is widely regarded as an authority on SQL Server and other leading database products. He is also the author of the SQL Server 6.5 Performance Optimization and Tuning Handbook.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Digital Press (August 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555581803
• ISBN-13: 978-1555581800
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,123,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short, Sweet, and Meaty, July 3, 1998

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: The SQL Server 6.5 Performance Optimization and Tuning Handbook (Paperback)

After you have spent 8-80 hours trying random combo's on the Server Configuration panel trying to guess what you should do, buy this book and score a direct hit! Microsoft should bundle this book with SQL Server. If a little more detail were provided on the internal data structures of SQL Server one could write a bulk loader that bypassed SQL Server entirely (I know its been done by others) and load 10 X as fast. (hint-hint) This is the closest thing to a K&R for MS SQL Server I've ever seen. I really like the brevity of this book. Every word counts! Very, very good job Ken!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, practical information, May 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The SQL Server 6.5 Performance Optimization and Tuning Handbook (Paperback)

This book completely demystifies a number of SQL tuning concepts. This book provides a superb overview of the various performance topics, and then drills down deep enough into the concepts to give you the insights necessary to tackle thorny performance problems with multiple causes. This is still a very valuable book for SQL 7.0--the majority of the concepts are still with us.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, June 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The SQL Server 6.5 Performance Optimization and Tuning Handbook (Paperback)

The techniques described in this book are effective and well thought out. Even if performance optimization is not your main goal, this book is well worth reading. The book delivers in-depth information on indexing, locking, the optimizer and many other topics in a very readable format. Ideal for those with some knowledge of SQL Server who want to dig deeper.