DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
You are tuning a query in Azure SQL Database. Which TWO actions can reduce logical reads?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a nonclustered index on the columns used in WHERE clause
Creating appropriate indexes, such as a nonclustered index on columns used in WHERE clauses, can reduce logical reads by enabling index seeks instead of full table scans. Updating statistics helps the query optimizer choose efficient execution plans, potentially reducing logical reads. Adding query hints may force an index but does not guarantee reduced reads and can be counterproductive. Rewriting as a stored procedure does not directly reduce logical reads. Increasing database max memory does not reduce logical reads.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Add query hints to force index usage
Why it's wrong here
Hints may not always reduce reads and can be counterproductive.
- ✓
Create a nonclustered index on the columns used in WHERE clause
Why this is correct
Index can reduce the number of rows read.
- ✗
Rewrite the query as a stored procedure
Why it's wrong here
Stored procedures do not inherently reduce logical reads.
- ✗
Increase the database max memory setting
Why it's wrong here
Memory increase does not directly reduce logical reads.
- ✓
Update statistics on the tables involved
Why this is correct
Helps optimizer choose better plans that may reduce reads.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Overview of Azure Data Platform Options
Key term
Azure SQL Performance Tuning
Azure SQL Performance Tuning is the process of optimizing the speed and efficiency of queries and database operations in Microsoft Azure SQL Database or SQL Managed Instance to reduce latency and improve throughput.
Key term
Azure SQL Indexes
Structures in Azure SQL Database that speed up data retrieval by providing quick access paths to rows, similar to a book index.
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