Microsoft® SQL Server 2012 Unleashed

Evaluating SARG and Join Selectivity

To determine selectivity of a SARG, which helps in determining the most efficient query plan, the Query Optimizer uses the statistical information stored for the index or column, if any. If no statistics are available for a column or index, SQL Server automatically creates statistics on nonindexed columns specified in a SARG if the AUTO_CREATE_STATISTICS option is enabled for the database. SQL Server also automatically generates and updates the statistics for any indexed columns referenced in a SARG if the AUTO_UPDATE_STATISTICS option is enabled. In addition, you can explicitly create statistics for a column or set of columns in a table or an indexed view by using the CREATE STATISTICS command. Both index ...