Oracle SQL Tuning with SQLTXPLAIN is a practical guide to SQL tuning the way Oracle's own experts do it, using a freely downloadable tool called SQLTXPLAIN. Using this simple tool you'll learn how to tune even the most complex SQL, and you'll learn to do it quickly, without the huge learning curve usually associated with tuning as a whole.

Firmly based in real world problems, this book helps you reclaim system resources and avoid the most common bottleneck in overall performance, badly tuned SQL. You'll learn how the optimizer works, how to take advantage of its latest features, and when it's better to turn them off.

• Quickly tune any SQL statement no matter how complex.
• Build and tune test cases without affecting production.
• Use the latest tuning features with confidence.

1. Introduction to SQLTXPLAIN

2. The Cost-Based Optimizer Environment 

3. How Object Statistics Can Make Your Execution Plan Wrong 

4. How Skewness Can Make Your Execution Times Variable 

5. Troubleshooting Query Transformations 

6. Forcing Execution Plans Through Profiles 

7. Adaptive Cursor Sharing

8. Dynamic Sampling and Cardinality Feedback 

9. Using SQLTXPLAIN with Data Guard Physical Standby Databases

10. Comparing Execution Plans 

11. Building Good Test Cases

12. Using XPLORE to Investigate Unexpected Plan Changes 

13. Trace Files, TRCANLZR, and Modifying SQLT Behavior 

14. Running a Health Check 

15. The Final Word

16. Appendix A. Installing SQLTXPLAIN 

17. Appendix B. The CBO Parameters (11.2.0.1)

18. Appendix C: Tool Configuration Parameters