Expert T-SQL Window Functions in SQL Server 2019: The Hidden Secret to Fast Analytic and Reporting Queries

© Kathi Kellenberger, Clayton Groom, and Ed Pollack 2019

K. Kellenberger et al.Expert T-SQL Window Functions in SQL Server 2019https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-5197-3_8

8. Tuning for Better Performance

Kathi Kellenberger¹ , Clayton Groom² and Ed Pollack³

(1)

Edwardsville, IL, USA

(2)

Smithton, IL, USA

(3)

Albany, NY, USA

 

Microsoft has always promoted window functions as having better performance than older techniques. In many situations, this is true, but, in my opinion, the biggest advantage is that these functions have made solving tricky queries easier. In some cases, these functions replace cursors, temp tables, and triangular joins. They are quite powerful tools before performance is even considered.

There are, however, some things you need to know ...