View Larger Image	Mark Gurry O'Reilly Media, Paperback, Published November 2001, 102 pages, ISBN 0596002688
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• Databases : Oracle
• Databases : SQL

• O'Reilly Media

One of the most important challenges faced by Oracle database administrators and Oracle developers is the need to tune SQL statements so that they execute efficiently. Poorly tuned SQL statements are one of the leading causes of substandard database performance and poor response time. SQL statements that perform poorly result in frustration for users, and can even prevent a company from serving its customers in a timely manner.

In this book, Mark Gurry shares his in-depth knowledge of Oracle's SQL statement optimizers. Mark's knowledge is the result of many hard-fought tuning battles during his many years of providing Oracle tuning services to clients. Mark provides insights into the workings of the rule-based optimizer that go well beyond what the rules tell you. Mark also provides solutions to many common problems that occur with both the rule-based and cost-based optimizers.

In addition to the specific problem/solution scenarios for the optimizers, Mark provides a number of handy SQL tuning tips. He discusses the various optimizer hints, telling you when they can be used to good effect. Finally, Mark discusses the use of the DBMS_STATS package to manage database statistics, and the use of outlines to specify execution plans for SQL statements in third-party applications that you can't otherwise modify.

About the Author

Mark Gurry is owner and President of Mark Gurry & Associates, a 50 person consulting company that provides end-to-end IT services, including 24 x 7 database administration, Web, GUI and back-end development, advice on architecture, business analysis, and design. The Company's performance skills are known worldwide. Mark's and his consultants' short-term site audits, tuning expertise, and internal skills transfer are keenly sought after, and Mark Gurry & Associates is often classified as being the Company to seek out when "only the absolute best will do". Mark Gurry & Associates is headquartered in Australia, and has recently expanded to Seattle in the United States. The Company also has several clients in the UK, New Zealand, and in Asia. Mark's customers are in many areas, including electricity; legal; the stock market; banking and finance; telecommunications; emergency services; and local, state, and federal governments.

Table of Contents

      Introduction  

      The SQL Optimizers  

                Understanding the Rule-Based Optimizer  

                Understanding the Cost-Based Optimizer  

                Some Common Optimizer Misconceptions  

                Which Optimizer to Use?  

      Rule-Based Optimizer Problems and Solutions  

                Problem 1: Incorrect Driving Table  

                Problem 2: Incorrect Index  

                Problem 3: Incorrect Driving Index  

                Problem 4: Using the ORDER BY Index and notthe WHERE Index  

      Cost-Based Optimizer Problems and Solutions  

                Problem 1: The Skewness Problem  

                Problem 2: Analyzing with Wrong Data  

                Problem 3: Mixing the Optimizers in Joins  

                Problem 4: Choosing an Inferior Index  

                Problem 5: Joining Too Many Tables  

                Problem 6: Incorrect INIT.ORA Parameter Settings  

      Problems Common to Rule and Cost with Solutions  

                Problem 1: Statement Not Written for Indexes  

                Problem 2: Indexes Are Missing or Inappropriate  

                Problem 3: Use of Single-Column Index Merge  

                Problem 4: Misuse of Nested Loop, Sort Merge,or Hash Join  

                Problem 5: Misuse of IN, EXISTS, NOT IN, NOT EXISTS,or Table Joins  

                Problem 6: Unnecessary Sorts  

                Problem 7: Too Many Indexes on a Table  

                Problem 8: Use of OR Instead of UNION  

                Problem 9: Tables and Indexes with Many Deletes  

                Other Problems: Heavy Usage of Views  

                Other Problems: Joining Too Many Tables  

      Handy SQL Tuning Tips  

                Identify Bad SQL  

                Identify Long-Running SQL Statements  

                Use DECODE for IF/ELSE Selection  

                Encourage Bind Variables  

      Using SQL Hints  

                When Are Hints Ignored?  

                Using Hints in Views  

                Available Hints  

      Using DBMS_STATS to Manage Statistics  

                Using DBMS_STATS to Analyze Faster  

                Copying Statistics Using DBMS_STATS  

                Manipulating Statistics Using DBMS_STATS  

                Reverting to Previous Statistics  

      Using Outlines for Consistent Execution Plans  

                Recording Outlines  

                Enabling Outlines  

                Managing Outlines  

Apr 17, 2003     P. DeAngelis from Pennsylvania
A Real Oracle Tuning Book Condensed to 102 Pages
Includes the critical descriptions of what Oracle does (to you) rather than just a restatement of Oracle documentation. Explains common tuning problems and offers solutions!

I'll dip into the book at random: Page 13: Reminds you how to back up existing ANALYZE data, just in case further table analysis upsets existing tuning. Page 52: Author gives clear rules of thumb: "...if a query returns less than XX% of the rows...you should be using nested loops." Page 73: Clearly explains why Oracle is ignoring your hints.

The only thing "pocket" about this book is it's physical size. It's a real book, condensed for readability and usefulness. An absolute delight.

Dec 9, 2002     Pierre from Brussels, Belgium
Excellent
Clear and Straightforward. Better than a lot of confusing so-called optimization courses of books.

Nov 15, 2002     Rama Shankar from Charlotte, NC, USA
Awesome Book for Quick Reference !!!
Great tuning book with all tips and suggestions for great running queries. You will surprised by the authors ability to give good explanation within this small book.

Aug 29, 2002     A review from MA, USA
Excellent book, affordable price, and convenient to carry!!!
If you are looking for a Oracle SQL tuning book, this is the book you needed. 1. Very easy to read, and to follow. 2. Very clear and covers a lot. 3. A lot of SQL samples, cases. 4. The book is designed in a easy cary format. 5. Light only 101 pages (But it covers a lot). 6. A reasonable price. This is the book writing for US. (Some big think book tells nothing, but for $50)

Aug 15, 2002     John B from Baltimore, MD
Excellent SQL Tuning Reference!
Finally, a book that explains how the Oracle Rule and Cost based optimizers work! Mark explains how to tune SQL using real world problems and mistakes, and shows how to turn those problem around. This book is worth ten times its price!

Mar 7, 2002     Susan from Schenectady, NY, USA
Very Helpful
This is one of the most useful books I've ever purchased (and I've got a lot of 'em, mostly rather pricey I might add!). The author gets right to the point, not spending a lot of time on the obvious or going into overwhelming detail. He provides clear and practical examples based on situations he has actually encountered. I was able to put the information to work immediately and resolve some serious performance issues that had recently arisen on our Oracle database. Using the fundamental concepts from this book, I also feel better equipped to do more in-depth research.

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