Quest® SQL Optimizer for SQL Server

Version 6.5

Release Notes

April 9, 2008


Contents

Welcome to Quest SQL Optimizer for SQL Server

New in this Release

Resolved Issues and Enhancements

Known Issues

System Requirements

Global Operations
 

Getting Started

For More Information


Welcome to Quest SQL Optimizer for SQL Server

Quest SQL Optimizer for SQL Server is the most comprehensive optimization solution available for SQL Server environments. This component offers complete SQL performance optimization with problematic SQL detection, automated SQL optimization and benchmarking capabilities. With it you can lower I/O and CPU costs with optimized SQL statements, reduce the learning curve by providing an intuitive SQL optimization environment, streamline the SQL optimization process by avoiding the trial and error method involved with manual SQL tuning. Some of its product highlights include:

 


New in This Release

Updates to Quest SQL Optimizer for SQL Server

 


Resolved Issues and Enhancements

The following is a list of issues addressed and enhancements implemented in this release of Quest SQL Optimizer for SQL Server.

Feature

Resolved Issue

Change Request

SQL Optimizer

The program no longer hangs when the optimization process has reached the 38% mark when optimizing some SQL statements.

SC563149

CR41384

Index Expert

An access violation error no longer occurs when you generate indexes when the SQL statement contains an OR operator in a CASE statement.

Example SQL:

select grd_id, (CASE when grd_id is null OR grd_id < 0 then 0 end) from grade

SC445923

CR41267

Tuning Lab The text of the Actions | Scenario Explorer menu item "Options" was changed to "Select Columns" to clarify that it was opening the Select Columns window and not the Preferences window. CR41178
The Return SQL button (which returns the best alternative to another program,for example, Toad) is now disabled when the SQL statement is entered by the user instead of being sent from another Quest product. CR47505
The Actions menu item "SQL Tuning" was change to "Tuning Lab". CR47497
Licensing You are no longer prompted to enter a license key for Quest SQL Optimizer each time you send a SQL statement from Performance Analysis.

SC603285-1

CR46727

You may enter 2 separate trial keys before reaching the key limit. CR41351
The trial limit override key now works as expected. CR44141
User-Defined Temp Table You will no longer receive an error when creating a temporary table that is enclosed in brackets [].

SC445697

CR41265


Known Issues

The following is a list of issues known to exist at the time of Quest SQL Optimizer for SQL Server release.

Feature

Known Issue

Change Request

Temp Tables

 

When the DDL for creating the temporary tables in the User-Defined Temp Table window contains a parameter, the Parameter window does not appear so you cannot enter the value for the parameter.

Workaround: Edit the DDL to replace the parameter with the value.

 

CR41080

SQL Scanner

In Performance Analysis for SQL Server version 6.0, Quest_Performance_Repository is the default name of the database where the SQL Repository, but you can choose a different name. In the earlier versions of Performance Analysis, the name was always Quest_Performance_Repository. The SQL Scanner only looks for Quest_Peformance_Repository, so if another name was used for this database, the Scanner will not find the SQL Repository. CR41320
The SQL Server CURSOR_CLOSE_ON_COMMIT dboption parameter should be set to OFF. Otherwise when the system stored procedure sp_helptext is used in the SQL Scanner module, it may return the following error due to SQL Server BUG #: 57967 (SQLBUG_70) or BUG #:231137 (SHILOH):
Server: Msg 16917, Level 16, State 2, Line 0
Cursor is not open.
 

In the Execution Plan pane of the Scanned SQL Viewer window, when you click the Show Plan Detail button, the tables should be displayed in the left pane of the Show Plan Detail window. Sometimes the tables are missing from the display.

CR41334
Integration with Quest Central Explorer When launching Quest SQL Optimizer from Quest Central Explorer (formally Quest Database Management Solutions or the Launch Pad), you may get a error message telling you that it failed to launch Quest SQL Optimizer.

Workaround: Contact Support to obtain the most current release of Quest Central Explorer.

 
Tuning Lab

The Retrieve Results function, which sends the SQL statement to another program in order to executed the statement and retrieve the results, does nothing when you launch Quest SQL Optimizer from Spotlight or Performance Analysis.

Workaround: Manually copy the SQL statement to another program, such as Toad, and executed it.

CR41364

After you have executed the Get Plan function, which retrieves the execution plan for a SQL statement, the SQL classification is displayed in the Alert window. All of the information for the SQL classification is sometimes not displayed in the Alert window.

Workaround: Click the Get Plan button a second time.

CR41330

 


System Requirements

Before installing Quest SQL Optimizer for SQL Server, ensure your system meets the following minimum hardware and software requirements:

Platform Pentium III 500 MHZ minimum
Memory

512 MB of RAM minimum

Note: The memory required may vary based on the following:

  • Applications that are running on your system.
  • Size and complexity of the database.
  • Amount of database activity.
  • Number of concurrent users accessing the database
Hard Disk Space

1.3 MB of disk space for installation

Note: This is the disk space required for a full installation, which includes 457 MB download of temporary setup files that can be removed at the completion of the installation.

Operating System Microsoft® Windows® 2000, 2003, or XP Professional, Vista
Browser Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later
PDF Viewer Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 5.0 or later (for viewing the Installation Guide)
Database Client PC client connection to SQL Server via Windows authentication or DB-Library (SQL Server Authentication)
Database Server

Microsoft SQL Server 7, 2000, 2005, or 2008

Note: SQL Server Compact edition is NOT supported.

 


Global Operations

This section contains information about installing and operating this product in non-English configurations, such as those needed by customers outside of North America. This section does not replace the materials about supported platforms and configurations found elsewhere in the product documentation. This release supports any single-byte character set. Double-byte or multi-byte character sets are not supported. In this release, all product components should be configured to use the same or compatible character encoding and should be installed to use the same locale and regional options. This release is targeted to support operations in the following regions: North America, Western Europe and Latin America.

 


Getting Started

Contents of the Release Package

The Quest SQL Optimizer for SQL Server release package contains the following products:

  1. Quest SQL Optimizer 6.5.0 for SQL Server
  2. Adobe® Acrobat Reader
  3. Product Documentation, including:

Installation Instructions

Refer to the Installation Guide for installation instructions.

 


For More Information

Contacting Quest Software:

Email info@quest.com
Mail Quest Software, Inc.
World Headquarters
5 Polaris Way
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
USA
Web

http://www.quest.com

Refer to our Web site for regional and international office information.

Contacting Quest Support:

Quest Support is available to customers who have a trial version of a Quest product or who have purchased a commercial version and have a valid maintenance contract.
Quest Support provides around the clock coverage with SupportLink, our web self-service. Visit SupportLink at http://support.quest.com/.

From SupportLink, you can do the following:

View the Global Support Guide for a detailed explanation of support programs, online services, contact information, and policy and procedures.
The guide is available at: http://support.quest.com/pdfs/Global%20Support%20Guide.pdf.

 


This document contains proprietary information protected by copyright. The software described in this guide is furnished under a software license or nondisclosure agreement. This software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreement. No part of this guide may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording for any purpose other than the purchaser’s personal use without the written permission of Quest Software, Inc.

 

© 2008  Quest Software, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Quest, Quest Software, the Quest Software logo, Benchmark Factory, Knowledge Xpert, LECCOTECH, Quest Central, Spotlight, SQL Navigator, SQLab, Toad, and T.O.A.D. are trademarks and registered trademarks of Quest Software, Inc. in the United States of America and other countries. Other trademarks and registered trademarks used in this guide are property of their respective owners.

 

If you have any questions regarding your potential use of this material, contact:

Quest Software World Headquarters
LEGAL Dept
5 Polaris Way
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Email: legal@quest.com

Disclaimer

The information in this document is provided in connection with Quest products. No license, express or implied, by estoppel or otherwise, to any intellectual property right is granted by this document or in connection with the sale of Quest products. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN QUEST'S TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS SPECIFIED IN THE LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR THIS PRODUCT, QUEST ASSUMES NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER AND DISCLAIMS ANY EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY WARRANTY RELATING TO ITS PRODUCTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL QUEST BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION OR LOSS OF INFORMATION) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS DOCUMENT, EVEN IF QUEST HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. Quest makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this document and reserves the right to make changes to specifications and product descriptions at any time without notice. Quest does not make any commitment to update the information contained in this document.