Oracle SQL Performance Tuning

Prerequisites:

A working knowledge of SQL is required. This can be obtained by attendance on the pre-requisite 3 day SQL course.

Course Description:

This course introduces the delegate to the main concepts of Oracle SQL performance tuning. It is designed to give delegates practical experience in analyzing and tuning the performance of SQL. This course is suitable for users of Oracle Database 10g and Oracle Database 11g.

The delegate will practise:

• Tuning Database Applications for Optimal Performance
• Managing Statistics
• Creating and Using Indexes
• Structuring SQL Statements for Performance
• Using the SQL Optimizers
• Examining the Execution Plan of a SQL Statement using EXPLAIN PLAN
• Examining the Efficiency of SQL Statements using SQL Trace and Autotrace
• Using Hints to Influence Execution Plan
• Identifying Unused Indexes

This course includes the following modules:

Introduction to Oracle Performance Tuning

• Tuning Overview
• Oracle Tuning Process
• Planning a Routine Monitoring Regime
• Setting Suitable Goals
• Tips for Avoiding Problematic Queries

Tools for Evaluating SQL Statements

• Overview of SQL Statement Tuning
• Tools to Assist in SQL Tuning
• Explain Plan
• Autotrace
• SQL Trace
• The tkprof Program
• Interpreting SQL Trace

The Optimizer

• SQL Optimizer
• OPTIMIZER_MODE Initialization Parameter
• Rule Based Optimizer
• Cost Based Optimizer
• The Analyze Command
• Managing Statistics with DBMS_STATS
• Automatic Statistics Gathering

Sorts

• How Oracle Processes Sorts
• Temporary Disk Space Assignment
• SQL Operations that Use Sorts

Indexes

• Index Overview
• B*Tree Indexes
• Access Paths with Indexes
• Index Scans
• Conditions That Stop Indexes Being Used
• Parameters Affecting Optimizer Index Choice

Advanced Indexes

• Bitmap Indexes
• Key Compressed Indexes
• Index Organized Tables
• Function Based Indexes
• Descending Indexes
• Invisible Indexes

Joins

• Joining Tables
• Nested Loops Join
• Merge Join
• Cluster Join
• Hash Join
• Anti Join and Semi Join
• Outer Joins
• Star Join

Sequences and Views

• Sequence Caching
• Views
• View Merging
• Inline Views

Using Hints

• Using Hints to Influence Execution Plan
• Optimization Mode and Goals
• Access Methods
• Query Transformations
• Join Orders
• Join Operations
• Hint Examples

Miscellaneous

• Syntax Considerations
• Array Size
• Shared Pool
• Intelligent Cursor Sharing
• Virtual Columns
• Result Caching
• Some PL/SQL Issues