Chapter III.2. The SQL Server Optimizer
For speed and performance of any database management system, an optimizer identifies the best method to run queries. The best method includes identifying the best indexes to use and the most efficient methods of retrieving, joining, and sorting the data.
SQL Server uses its optimizer to evaluate and choose the best indexes and methods for individual queries. All queries are submitted to the optimizer, which in turn checks a variety of variables to create the best possible query plan. The query plan can be observed as text or in graphical mode by looking at the execution plan.
The most important thing you can do to support the optimizer is to ensure that statistics are automatically created and automatically maintained on all your indexes.
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