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Analytics Optimization with Columnstore Indexes in Microsoft SQL Server: Cost-Effective, Scalable Analytics for Real-World SQL Server Workloads

Name: Analytics Optimization with Columnstore Indexes in Microsoft SQL Server: Cost-Effective, Scalable Analytics for Real-World SQL Server Workloads
Author: Edward Pollack
ISBN: 9798868826108

by Edward Pollack

May 2026

Beginner to intermediate

320 pages

7h 3m

English

Apress

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Analytics Optimization with Columnstore Indexes in Microsoft SQL Server
Introduction
What Is This Book About?Intended AudienceWhy Columnstore Indexes?Contacting the Author
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
About the Author
About the Technical Reviewer
1. Introduction to Analytic Data in a Transactional Database
Where Should Analytic Data Reside?Analytic Data SizeAnalytic Data StructureData ScaleVertical ScalingHorizontal ScalingScaling Decisions and StrategyAnalytic Data SourcesStructured Data: Data WarehouseUnstructured Data: Data LakeThird-Party Analytics SoftwareOLAP Data in an OLTP Table in a Transactional DatabaseOLAP Data in an Analytic Table in a Transactional Database
2. Transactional vs. Analytic Workloads
Transactional DataAnalytic DataThe Need for Two SystemsBuilding Better Analytic Data Structures
3. What Are Columnstore Indexes?
AbstractThe Limits of Transactional Data StorageIntroducing Columnstore IndexesBenefits of Columnstore Indexes in SQL ServerNative Analytic Data in SQL ServerScalabilityExceptional CompressionFaster Analytic ReadsFaster Data Loads
4. Columnstore Index Architecture
Sample DataRowgroups and SegmentsThe Delta StoreThe Delete BitmapNon-clustered Columnstore Index ArchitecturePhysical Data on PagesSummarizing Differences

5. Columnstore Compression
Basics of Columnstore CompressionColumnstore Compression AlgorithmsValue EncodingDictionary EncodingBit PackingShould String Data Be Normalized?Row Order (Vertipaq) OptimizationOther Compression AlgorithmsColumnstore Archive CompressionThe Compression Life Cycle
6. Columnstore Metadata
Available Columnstore MetadataRowgroup MetadataPartition_numberDelta_store_hobt_idState and State_DescriptionTotal_rowsDeleted_rowsSize_in_bytesSegment MetadataEncoding_typeRow_CountHas_nullsBase_id and MagnitudeMin_data_id and Max_data_idNull_valueOn_disk_sizeRowgroup Physical MetadataState_descTotal_rows, Deleted_rows, Size_in_bytesTrim_reason_descTransition_to_compressed_state_descHas_vertipaq_optimizationCreated_timeRowgroup Operational StatisticsIndex_scan_countScan_countDelete_buffer_scan_countRow_group_lock_count, Row_group_lock_wait_count, and Row_group_lock_wait_in_msReturned_row_countColumnstore Index Memory UsageObject_type_descAccess_countObject_load_timeInternal Columnstore Index ObjectsInternal_object_type_desc
7. Batch Execution
Row Mode ExecutionBatch Mode ExecutionHow Does Batch Mode Work?Batch Mode vs. Row Mode Performance
8. Bulk Loading Data
Bulk Load Processes ExplainedBulk Loading into Columnstore IndexesPerformance of Bulk Loading into Columnstore IndexesTrickle Insert vs. Staged InsertOther Data Load ConsiderationsDrop Non-clustered Indexes During Data LoadsColumnstore Reorganize Operations with Each Data LoadSummary
9. Delete and Update Operations
The Cost of Modifying DataDelete OperationsUpdate Operations
10. Segment and Rowgroup Elimination
Segment EliminationRowgroup EliminationCombining Segment and Rowgroup Elimination
11. Partitioning
Maintain Hot/Warm/Cold DataFaster Data Movement/MigrationPartition EliminationDatabase MaintenancePartitioning in ActionData RetentionPartitioning GuidelinesPartition and Rowgroup SizingPartition Column ChoiceStorage ChoiceAdditional Benefits
12. Non-clustered Columnstore Indexes on Rowstore Tables
Use Rowstore IndexesSeparate OLAP and OLTP ProcessesNon-clustered Columnstore IndexesManaging Hot, Warm, and Cold Transactional DataCompression DelayFiltered Non-clustered Columnstore IndexesCode ChangesVertipaq Optimization for Non-clustered Columnstore IndexesTesting Non-clustered Columnstore IndexesDon’t Forget to Drop Unneeded Indexes!
13. Non-clustered Rowstore Indexes on Columnstore Tables
Using Non-clustered Rowstore IndexesEnforcing ConstraintsFiltered Non-clustered Rowstore IndexesEnabling Vertipaq OptimizationAdd Filters to Non-clustered Rowstore IndexesPerform Periodic Index MaintenanceIndexed ViewsCompression for Non-clustered Rowstore IndexesNon-clustered Rowstore Index Guidance
14. Columnstore Index Maintenance
What Causes Fragmentation?How Much Fragmentation Is Too Much?Quantifying Deleted RowsDetailing Unordered DataThe No-Maintenance Columnstore IndexColumnstore ReorganizeReorganize to Remove Delta RowgroupsColumnstore RebuildColumnstore Reorder and RebuildColumnstore Index Maintenance by PartitionIndex Maintenance in Non-clustered Columnstore IndexesAutomated Maintenance in SQL Server 2019+Modern Columnstore Index Guidance
15. Columnstore Index Performance
Columnstore Metadata ReadsColumnstore Data ReadsMemory SizingDictionary Size and Dictionary PressureNormalizing Wide ColumnsAdd or Change the Columnstore Sorting ColumnPartitioningColumnstore Indexes on Temporary TablesMemory-Optimized Columnstore IndexesDemonstrating Memory-Optimized Columnstore IndexesOptimization Strategies
16. Ordered Columnstore Indexes
What Is an Ordered Columnstore Index?Ordered Columnstore Index ArchitectureOrdered Columnstore Index MetadataInserting Data into an Ordered Columnstore IndexRebuilding an Ordered Columnstore IndexNon-clustered Ordered Columnstore IndexesCost-Benefit Analysis of Ordered Columnstore IndexesIs Data Already Sorted?Is Performance Adequate?Are Slower Write Operations Acceptable?Are Real-Time Operational Analytics Required?Non-clustered Rowstore IndexesNon-clustered Columnstore IndexesOrdered Non-clustered Columnstore IndexesSeparate OLTP and OLAP WorkloadsThe Right Tool for the Job
Index

Content preview from Analytics Optimization with Columnstore Indexes in Microsoft SQL Server: Cost-Effective, Scalable Analytics for Real-World SQL Server Workloads

E. PollackAnalytics Optimization with Columnstore Indexes in Microsoft SQL Serverhttps://doi.org/10.1007/979-8-8688-2610-8_6

6. Columnstore Metadata

Edward Pollack¹

Edward Pollack

Email: ed@edwardpollack.com

Each compressed segment within a columnstore index not only stores analytic data but also, through metadata, can describe its contents with more precision than rowstore tables can.

This metadata resides in system tables and allows SQL Server to make intelligent query processing decisions at runtime. This chapter dives into this metadata in detail, how SQL Server uses it, and how it can be leveraged to improve the performance of columnstore ...

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Analytics Optimization with Columnstore Indexes in Microsoft SQL Server: Cost-Effective, Scalable Analytics for Real-World SQL Server Workloads

by Edward Pollack

6. Columnstore Metadata

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.