Analytics Optimization with Columnstore Indexes in Microsoft SQL Server: Optimizing OLAP Workloads

Meet the challenge of storing and accessing analytic data in SQL  Server in a fast and performant manner. This book illustrates how  columnstore indexes can provide an ideal solution for storing analytic  data that leads to faster performing analytic queries and the ability to  ask and answer business intelligence questions with alacrity. The book  provides a complete walk through of columnstore indexing that  encompasses an introduction, best practices, hands-on demonstrations,  explanations of common mistakes, and presents a detailed architecture  that is suitable for professionals of all skill levels.

With  little or no knowledge of columnstore indexing you can become proficient  with columnstore indexes as used in SQL Server, and apply that  knowledge in development, test, and production environments. This book  serves as a comprehensive guide to the use of columnstore indexes and  provides definitive guidelines. You will learn when columnstore indexes  should be used, and the performance gains that you can expect. You will  also become familiar with best practices around architecture,  implementation, and maintenance. Finally, you will know the limitations  and common pitfalls to be aware of and avoid.

As analytic data  can become quite large, the expense to manage it or migrate it can be  high. This book shows that columnstore indexing represents an effective  storage solution that saves time, money, and improves performance for  any applications that use it. You will see that columnstore indexes are  an effective performance solution that is included in all versions of  SQL Server, with no additional costs or licensing required.

What You Will Learn
Implement columnstore indexes in SQL Server
Know best practices for the use and maintenance of analytic data in SQL Server
Use metadata to fully understand the size and shape of data stored in columnstore indexes
Employ optimal ways to load, maintain, and delete data from large analytic tables
Know how columnstore compression saves storage, memory, and time
Understand when a columnstore index should be used instead of a rowstore index
Be familiar with advanced features and analytics

Who This Book Is For
Database  developers, administrators, and architects who are responsible for  analytic data, especially for those working with very large data sets  who are looking for new ways to achieve high performance in their  queries, and those with immediate or future challenges to analytic data  and query performance who want a methodical and effective solution.