2.4. Database Engine Tuning Advisor

Database Engine Tuning Advisor (DTA) helps you improve query processing without requiring you to understand the database structure or how SQL Server processes queries. DTA helps you select and create an optimal set of indexes, indexed views, and partitions. It analyzes a workloada set of T-SQL statements that runs against the databaseagainst the implementation of one or more databases and recommends changes to the database that reduce the estimated workload cost of the query optimizer. These modifications include adding, deleting, or modifying clustered indexes, nonclustered indexes, indexed views, and partitions.

You launch Database Engine Tuning Advisor in one of three ways:

• Select Start All Programs Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Performance Tools Database Engine Tuning Advisor from the taskbar.

• From the SQL Server Management Studio menu, select Tools Database Engine Tuning Advisor.

• Run the command-line tool dta.exe.