There have not been any updates for the SQLServerFast Execution Plan Video Training for a long time. In fact, it’s already over one and a half year since the last set of videos was released!

But that is not because I have been sitting still. I have, in fact, done a lot of work between then and now, even though the effects of all that work might not have been very visible.

Changed plans

After completing and releasing block 3 (Combining data), I started working on the next planned block, which would have been block 4 (Sorting and grouping). But as I worked on the basic level of that block, I realized that a lot of the demos and explanations in those videos refer to topics that would be covered in later blocks, especially block 5 (Various data manipulations) and 6 (Technical operators). And while these videos can be watched in any order, I still prefer them to be in the most “logical” order.

So I decided to change my original plans. What was planned to be block 4 is now block 6. The originally planned blocks 5 and 6 are now 4 and 5. I also took this opportunity for a fresh look at my original plans for what topic to cover in which video. With my new insights, based on recording the first three blocks, I realized I needed some changes there as well.
If you are interested, the full overview of all currently available and planned blocks and levels can be found here or here.
(And note that I absolutely reserve the right to change my mind and plans again in the future!)

Fixed references and additional cleanup

Because people may choose to watch videos in any order they see fit, I am in the habit of putting references to other videos on the screen if I discuss something that is explained in more detail in another video. Of course, with my changed plans, many of the references in the already published videos were no longer correct. So I went through all my existing videos, looked for affected references, and changed those references.

While that was a lot of work, it also was an ideal opportunity for some additional housekeeping and cleanup. So, for all videos in the three blocks (six levels) that are already available, I made all the following changes:

• As mentioned, all references to other videos now reflect the updated course structure.
• Especially in older videos, I changed the style used for references to be consistent throughout the course.
• I also made some changes to the captions, for a more consistent captioning style.
• At the request of one of my viewers, I made copies of all slide decks available. You can find the download links here and here.

Additional minor (and some not so minor) changes

While I was reviewing all videos anyway, I also took the opportunity to fix some small errors I noticed as I was checking them, and I added a few updates for things that were changed or added in versions of SQL Server that were released after I had completed the video, to make sure that those videos are now up to date again. While I did not track all the small, minor updates, I did track the bigger changes I made:

• Block 1, basic level, chapter 5: In SQL Azure Database and as of SQL Server 2022, Query Store is now on by default.
• Block 2, basic level, chapter 4: The described bug with cardinality estimates when a predicate is pushed into a lookup has been fixed under compatibility level 160 or higher.
• Block 2, basic level, chapter 5: No longer claims that the Parameter Table Scan operator doesn’t exist anymore. I now know it does. The operator itself will be covered later.
• Block 3, basic level, chapter 3: Since SSMS 19.0, the Residual property is now visible in the properties popup window.

Availability of these updates

All these changes have been published between January and May of this year. Those who have purchased access to any of these videos will automatically see the updated version if they watch the video again. Those who bought access after I updated the videos will of course only see the updated version.

The basic level of block 1 (Understanding execution plans) is of course not sold but completely free to watch. Everyone who watches (or re-watches) one of these videos will now see the updated new version.

New videos released!

By that time, most of the basic level of what originally was block 4 and has become block 6 was already done. I decided to finish those videos first. And that project has now been completed. The basic level of block 6 (Sorting and grouping) is now available for purchase!

Pricing

The basic level of block 6 consists of 5 videos, that cover Stream Aggregate, Hash Match for aggregation, Sort, Segment, and Window Spool. Four of those videos have a playing time of approximately half an hour; the fifth is just over 45 minutes. If you want to buy access to one or more individual videos, you have to pay $24.95, or the equivalent in your local currency, plus perhaps applicable tax.

However, you get a much better deal if you buy the whole level at once. For all five videos, with a combined total playing tine of 2:42:12, you pay only $99.95.

Early bird discount

I normally prefer to have a pre-order period first, during which people can sign up to purchase the videos at a discounted price, while I do the final checks and corrections to make the videos ready for official release. But Vimeo, the company I use to host my videos, has temporarily suspended the pre-order functionality. This means I was unable to put this level up for pre-order.

But I still want to give a discount for fast deciders. So, instead of a pre-order period, I now have a short period of early bird pricing. This applies only when you buy the whole level at once. If you do so between now and September 15, you pay only $89.95.

And, even better: any discount code that you may have, for instance after attending one of my sessions or a pre-con day at a conference, can still be applied on top of that already discounted early bird price!

Summary

So, long story short: it took very long, because I spent a lot of time to update existing videos with lots of small and a few somewhat bigger improvements. But the next set of videos is now available. You can purchase them with the early bird discount from now until September 15. But even after that, they are still very affordable!