Performance
Performance
Analytical functions
Optimizing Oracle SQL performance for queries that use analytical functions involves several
strategies to ensure efficient processing. Here are some key considerations:
Explain Plan
The EXPLAIN PLAN statement in Oracle is used to display the execution plan that
Oracle Database follows to execute a SQL statement. Understanding and
analyzing the EXPLAIN PLAN output can help identify potential performance
issues and optimize SQL queries. Here are some key points to consider when
interpreting EXPLAIN PLAN output for performance optimization:
1. Access Paths: Oracle provides different access paths to retrieve data, such
as FULL SCAN, INDEX SCAN, or UNIQUE SCAN. Look for access paths
that involve full table scans (FULL SCAN) or inefficient index usage, as
these can indicate potential performance bottlenecks.
2. Join Methods: The EXPLAIN PLAN output shows the join methods used by
Oracle, such as NESTED LOOPS, HASH JOIN, or MERGE JOIN. Evaluate
the join methods to ensure that they are efficient for the query and that
indexes are being used effectively.
3. Filtering: Look for filters (FILTER or PREDICATE operations) in the
execution plan. Filters can indicate where conditions are applied, and
optimizing these filters can improve query performance.
4. Cost: Oracle estimates the cost of each operation in the execution plan
based on factors such as the number of rows processed and the access
method used. Lower cost generally indicates a more efficient execution plan.
5. Index Usage: Check if indexes are being used efficiently. Look for
operations such as INDEX SCAN or INDEX RANGE SCAN, which indicate
that indexes are being utilized. Absence of index usage where it could be
beneficial may indicate a performance issue.
6. Parallel Execution: In some cases, Oracle may use parallel execution to
speed up query processing. Look for operations with PARALLEL in the
PSTART and PSTOP columns, which indicate parallel execution.
7. Cardinality Estimates: Oracle estimates the number of rows processed by
each operation. Discrepancies between estimated and actual cardinalities
can indicate issues with statistics or query optimization.
8. Optimization Techniques: Oracle uses various optimization techniques,
such as query transformations and access path selection, to generate the
execution plan. Understanding these techniques can help in optimizing
queries.
9. Plan Stability: Ensure that the execution plan is stable and does not change
frequently, as plan instability can lead to performance problems. Use
features like SQL Plan Management to maintain plan stability.
By analyzing the EXPLAIN PLAN output and considering these key points, you
can identify potential performance issues in your SQL queries and optimize them
for better performance in Oracle Database.
Constraints
1. Primary Key and Unique Constraints: These constraints ensure that each
row in a table is unique. While they are crucial for data integrity, they can
impact performance, especially during data insertion and updates. Ensure
that primary key and unique constraints are applied sensibly to avoid
unnecessary performance overhead.
2. Foreign Key Constraints: Foreign key constraints ensure referential
integrity between tables. While important, they can impact performance,
especially during data insertion and deletion, as Oracle needs to ensure that
the foreign key relationships are maintained. Consider the impact on
performance when designing tables and relationships.
3. Check Constraints: Check constraints enforce conditions on data values.
While they are essential for data integrity, they may not have a significant
impact on performance unless the check condition is complex or involves
frequent updates.
4. Indexing: Constraints often create indexes to enforce their rules efficiently.
Ensure that these indexes are maintained and that they are used effectively
by the query optimizer. Over-indexing can lead to performance issues, so it's
important to strike a balance.
5. Constraint Validation: When data is inserted or updated, Oracle validates
the constraints, which can impact performance. Ensure that constraints are
simple and necessary to avoid unnecessary overhead.
6. Deferred Constraints: Oracle allows you to defer constraint checking until
the end of a transaction. This can be useful for improving performance in
certain scenarios, but it should be used judiciously to avoid data integrity
issues.
7. Constraint Violations: When a constraint is violated, Oracle needs to
handle the violation, which can impact performance. Ensure that constraints
are designed to minimize the likelihood of violations.
8. Constraint Dropping and Altering: Dropping or altering constraints can
impact performance, especially on large tables. Plan such operations
carefully and consider the implications on performance.
In summary, constraints are essential for data integrity but can impact
performance if not used judiciously. It's important to carefully design and manage
constraints to ensure both data integrity and performance in Oracle SQL.
Query optimization
Query optimization is crucial for improving Oracle database performance. Here
are some key tips for optimizing queries in Oracle:
1. Use Indexes: Indexes can greatly speed up query performance by allowing
Oracle to quickly locate rows. Ensure that indexes are created on columns
frequently used in WHERE clauses and join conditions.
2. Avoid Full Table Scans: Full table scans can be slow, especially on large
tables. Try to design queries that use indexes to access only the necessary
rows.
3. Use WHERE Clause Effectively: Use WHERE clauses to filter rows early
in the query execution. Avoid using functions on columns in the WHERE
clause, as this can prevent Oracle from using indexes.
4. Optimize Joins: Use appropriate join techniques (e.g., INNER JOIN, LEFT
JOIN) based on the relationship between tables. Ensure that join columns
are indexed.
5. Limit the Result Set: Use the FETCH FIRST or ROWNUM clauses to limit
the number of rows returned by a query, especially if you only need a subset
of the results.
6. Avoid Cartesian Joins: Cartesian joins (cross joins) can result in a large
number of rows being returned. Make sure to specify the join conditions
correctly to avoid unintended Cartesian products.
7. Use Bind Variables: Use bind variables instead of hardcoding values in
SQL queries. This can improve query performance by allowing Oracle to
reuse query execution plans.
8. **Avoid Using SELECT ***: Instead of selecting all columns using
SELECT *, specify the columns you actually need. This can reduce the
amount of data retrieved and improve query performance.
9. Use Analytic Functions Wisely: Analytic functions can be powerful, but
they can also impact performance. Use them judiciously and consider their
impact on query performance.
10.Update Statistics: Regularly update database statistics to ensure that the
query optimizer has up-to-date information for generating optimal execution
plans.
By following these tips and continuously monitoring and tuning your queries, you
can improve the performance of your Oracle database and optimize query
execution.
Bind Variables
Hints
In Oracle SQL, hints are used to influence the optimizer's choice of execution plan
for a query. There are several types of hints that can be used to provide the
optimizer with guidance on how to execute a query. Here are some common types
of hints in Oracle:
1. All Oracle SQL Hints:
o **/+ FULL(t) /: Forces a full table scan of table t.
o **/+ INDEX(t idx) /: Forces the use of the specified index idx on
table t.
o **/+ INDEX_COMBINE(t idx1 idx2) /: Combines the specified
indexes idx1 and idx2 on table t.
o **/+ INDEX_DESC(t idx) /: Forces the use of the specified index idx
in descending order on table t.
o **/+ INDEX_FFS(t idx) /: Forces a fast full scan of the specified
index idx on table t.
o **/+ INDEX_JOIN(t idx) /: Forces the use of the specified index idx
for a nested loop join on table t.
o **/+ MERGE(t) /: Forces a merge join for the specified table t.
o **/+ LEADING(t1 t2) /: Specifies the join order of tables t1 and t2.
o **/+ USE_NL(t1 t2) /: Forces a nested loop join between tables t1
and t2.
o **/+ USE_MERGE(t1 t2) /: Forces a merge join between tables t1
and t2.
o **/+ USE_HASH(t1 t2) /: Forces a hash join between tables t1 and
t2.
o **/+ NO_MERGE(t) /: Prevents the optimizer from using merge joins
for the specified table t.
o **/+ NO_PUSH_PRED(t) /: Prevents the optimizer from pushing
predicates into a view or subquery t.
o **/+ NO_UNNEST(t) /: Prevents the optimizer from unnesting
subqueries in the specified table t.
o **/+ NO_EXPAND(t) /: Prevents the optimizer from using bitmap
indexes for the specified table t.
o **/+ QB_NAME(name) /: Assigns a name to a query block for use in
other hints.
These are just a few examples of the many hints available in Oracle SQL. Each
hint provides specific guidance to the optimizer on how to execute a query, and the
effectiveness of hints can vary depending on the query and the underlying data. It's
important to use hints judiciously and to test them thoroughly to ensure they
achieve the desired performance improvements.