It has taken a long time. Partly due to my health, but definitely also to a good extent as a result of my perfectionism. But I can now finally declare that the next set of videos for the Execution Plan Video Training is ready, and pre-order sales have opened, with an insane discount for early deciders!

Joins (and more)

The focus of block 3 of the SQLServerFast Execution Plan Video Training is on everything related to combining data from multiple sources. Most of the time, data is combined by using one of the four join operators, so they get the most attention in this chapter.

The content of the basic level of this block is distributed across six individual videos (“chapters”), each focusing on one topic, and each between 30 and 45 minutes in length. Enough for the truly in-depth coverage that you have come to expect from me.

The first chapter focuses on the logical join types, basically slightly different rules for how matching and non-matching rows should be processed by the various join operators. The next four chapters then describe one join operator each: Nested Loops, Merge Join, Hash Match, and Adaptive Join. Each of these has a different algorithm to find matching rows, each with their own benefits and risks. The final chapter focuses on three operators that combine data in different ways: Concatenation, Sequence, and Switch.

One of the two main reasons I see for slow queries is the optimizer choosing the wrong join operator. A good basic understanding of the various join algorithms is crucial for query tuning. How else will you know which join operators cause havoc in your execution plans, and which are just fine? How else will you know how to change the query or your indexing, in order to nudge the optimizer in the right direction?

In other words, I believe that everyone who works with SQL Server and cares about performance should make sure that they know all the details of the various join operators.

Release date and pricing

The entire basic level of block 3 of the SQLServerFast Execution Plan Video Training will release on July 1. So you will have to wait a bit before you can watch them. However, if you want a sneak preview, then you can already watch the trailer, either here or here.

Once the videos are released, you can buy access to them for the low price of just $24.95 per chapter. Or you can buy the entire set of six videos for the even better price of $119.95, a saving of $30 as compared to buying the individual videos. Also, if you have ever attended my pre-con session, or if you recently attended one of my regular conference sessions, then the discount code that you received during that session will also apply to these new videos!

(All prices listed in USD. Free Vimeo account required for purchase of videos. Depending on where you live, prices may be converted to local currency and tax might be added)

Pre-order discount

If you are a fast decider, you can save even more money! The pre-order sale for the basic level of block 3 has already opened. During this pre-order period, you cannot buy individual videos. But you can buy the entire level, and if you do you will only pay $89.95 – a whopping 25% discount over the normal price! (Other discount codes cannot be combined with this offer, though).

Do note that the pre-order discount offer expires on June 30. So better be fast!

(All prices listed in USD. Free Vimeo account required for purchase of videos. Depending on where you live, prices may be converted to local currency and tax might be added)

Some links

If you want to know more, then feel free to check out these links:

• Direct link to the SQLServerFast Execution Plan Video Training; block 3 – Combining data; basic level. During the pre-order period, you can watch the trailer with a short overview of the level’s contents, and you can sign up for the pre-order offer. After July 1, you can buy and watch all videos through this same link.
• A short summary of all blocks and levels, released as well as planned, of the SQLServerFast Execution Plan Video Training.
• A detailed explanation of the SQLServerFast Execution Plan Video Training, with a viewing guide, an overview of all blocks and levels, short summary of content for each individual chapter, and all relevant links.
• The YouTube playlist of all trailer and overview videos for the SQLServerFast Execution Plan Video Training.

And if you have any questions, then please leave them in the comments, use the contact form on this site, or mail or tweet me.

Enjoy!