Quick and Dirty SQL Server Slow Query Log

Optimizing SQL server can be a daunting task. There is a fairly large learning curve, and knowing where to start can be a problem. Over the weekend, I read over a great article on query optimization for SQL Server and found the greatest query ever.

SELECT TOP 20 SUBSTRING(qt.text, (qs.statement_start_offset/2)+1, 
        ((CASE qs.statement_end_offset
          WHEN -1 THEN DATALENGTH(qt.text)
         ELSE qs.statement_end_offset
         END - qs.statement_start_offset)/2)+1), 
qs.execution_count, 
qs.total_logical_reads, qs.last_logical_reads,
qs.min_logical_reads, qs.max_logical_reads,
qs.total_elapsed_time, qs.last_elapsed_time,
qs.min_elapsed_time, qs.max_elapsed_time,
qs.last_execution_time,
qp.query_plan
FROM sys.dm_exec_query_stats qs
CROSS APPLY sys.dm_exec_sql_text(qs.sql_handle) qt
CROSS APPLY sys.dm_exec_query_plan(qs.plan_handle) qp
WHERE qt.encrypted=0
ORDER BY qs.total_logical_reads DESC

This query will list the top 20 most read intensive queries. What is great is it is based on total reads, so it is a quick and dirty way to find the worst queries in your system. Eliminating the top few queries on this list will give you the best bang for your buck.

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