DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
You have an Azure SQL Database that is experiencing performance degradation. You suspect that parameter sniffing is causing suboptimal execution plans. What should you do to mitigate this issue without changing application code?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse 'clearing the plan cache' (option B) as a permanent fix, when it is only a temporary workaround that does not address the root cause of parameter sniffing.
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
✓
Enable forced parameterization for the database.
Forced parameterization (option D) is the correct mitigation because it instructs the SQL Server query optimizer to treat all literal values in queries as parameters, which reduces the likelihood of parameter sniffing causing suboptimal plans for repeated queries. This is done at the database level without requiring any changes to application code, making it ideal for scenarios where code modification is not feasible.
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 the OPTION (RECOMPILE) query hint to all queries.
Why it's wrong here
Requires changing application code.
- ✗
Clear the plan cache using DBCC FREEPROCCACHE.
Why it's wrong here
Temporary fix; parameter sniffing will recur.
- ✗
Enable the 'Optimize for Ad Hoc Workloads' setting.
Why it's wrong here
Helps plan cache efficiency but does not directly address parameter sniffing.
- ✓
Enable forced parameterization for the database.
Why this is correct
Forces SQL Server to parameterize queries, reducing parameter sniffing impact.
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.
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