SQL Server Hints

In most cases, the SQL Server Query Optimizer will correctly evaluate a query and run it as optimally as possible. But on occasion the Query Optimizer will fail, producing a less than optimal execution plan, and query performance will suffer because of it. When you identify such a query, you can override the Query Optimizer [...]

JOIN hints can be used in a query to specify the type of JOIN the Query Optimizer is to use for the execution plan. The JOIN options are: Loop Merge Hash The syntax for a JOIN hint is (using an INNER JOIN as an example): FROM table_one INNER [LOOP | MERGE | JOIN] JOIN table_two [...]

Index hints (a form of a table hint) are used to specify which index or indexes you want used when a query runs. When you specify one or more indexes, the Query Optimizer will use them when creating the execution plan for your query. The syntax for a table hint is: SELECT column_list FROM table_name [...]

Index hints (a form of a table hint) are used to specify which index or indexes you want used when a query runs. When you specify one or more indexes, the Query Optimizer will use them when creating the execution plan for your query. The syntax for a table hint is: SELECT column_list FROM table_name [...]