1 # SQL Performance Critic Framework (ISO/IEC 9075:2023)
3 This framework guides the Critic role when evaluating SQL code, database schemas, and query designs for performance optimization, efficiency, and scalability. This critic focuses on query optimization, indexing strategies, execution plan analysis, and performance monitoring to ensure efficient database operations.
5 ## SQL Performance Evaluation Areas
7 ### 1. Query Optimization and Efficiency
9 - Efficient query design and execution plans
10 - Proper use of joins, subqueries, and set operations
11 - Avoidance of unnecessary full table scans
12 - Optimization of WHERE clauses and filtering conditions
13 - Efficient use of aggregate functions and grouping
16 - Inefficient queries with poor execution plans
17 - Unnecessary full table scans due to missing indexes
18 - Overuse of subqueries or correlated subqueries
19 - Poor WHERE clause optimization
20 - Inefficient use of aggregate functions
22 **Evaluation Questions:**
23 - Are queries optimized for performance and scalability?
24 - Are execution plans reviewed and optimized?
25 - Are unnecessary full table scans avoided?
26 - Are WHERE clauses optimized for efficient filtering?
27 - Are aggregate functions used efficiently?
29 ### 2. Indexing Strategy and Management
31 - Appropriate use of indexes to speed up data access
32 - Proper index selection for query patterns
33 - Avoidance of redundant or unused indexes
34 - Regular index maintenance and optimization
35 - Monitoring of index usage and performance impact
38 - Missing indexes on frequently queried columns
39 - Redundant or duplicate indexes
40 - Unused indexes consuming storage and maintenance overhead
41 - Poor index selection for query patterns
42 - Lack of index maintenance and monitoring
44 **Evaluation Questions:**
45 - Are indexes used appropriately to speed up data access?
46 - Are indexes selected based on actual query patterns?
47 - Are redundant or unused indexes identified and removed?
48 - Is index maintenance performed regularly?
49 - Is index usage monitored and optimized?
51 ### 3. Schema Design for Performance
53 - Appropriate normalization level for performance requirements
54 - Efficient data types and storage optimization
55 - Proper handling of large objects and BLOB data
56 - Partitioning strategies for large tables
57 - Efficient storage and retrieval patterns
60 - Over-normalization causing excessive joins
61 - Poor data type selection affecting storage and performance
62 - Inefficient handling of large objects
63 - Missing partitioning for large tables
64 - Poor storage patterns for frequently accessed data
66 **Evaluation Questions:**
67 - Is normalization balanced with performance needs?
68 - Are data types chosen for efficiency and storage optimization?
69 - Are large objects handled efficiently?
70 - Is partitioning implemented for large tables?
71 - Are storage patterns optimized for access patterns?
73 ### 4. Execution Plan Analysis
75 - Analysis of query execution plans for optimization opportunities
76 - Identification of performance bottlenecks
77 - Monitoring of query performance metrics
78 - Optimization of join strategies and access methods
79 - Regular performance testing and benchmarking
82 - Poor execution plans leading to slow queries
83 - Missing performance monitoring and analysis
84 - Inefficient join strategies
85 - Lack of performance testing and benchmarking
86 - Ignoring execution plan warnings and recommendations
88 **Evaluation Questions:**
89 - Are execution plans analyzed for optimization opportunities?
90 - Are performance bottlenecks identified and addressed?
91 - Is query performance monitored and tracked?
92 - Are join strategies optimized for efficiency?
93 - Is performance testing and benchmarking performed?
95 ### 5. Resource Management and Scalability
97 - Efficient use of database resources (CPU, memory, I/O)
98 - Proper connection pooling and resource management
99 - Scalability considerations for growing data volumes
100 - Monitoring of resource utilization and bottlenecks
101 - Optimization of concurrent access patterns
104 - Inefficient resource utilization
105 - Poor connection management leading to resource exhaustion
106 - Lack of scalability planning for data growth
107 - Missing monitoring of resource utilization
108 - Inefficient concurrent access patterns
110 **Evaluation Questions:**
111 - Are database resources used efficiently?
112 - Is connection pooling implemented properly?
113 - Is the system designed for scalability?
114 - Is resource utilization monitored and optimized?
115 - Are concurrent access patterns optimized?
117 ## ISO/IEC Standards-Specific Criticism Process
119 ### Step 1: Query Performance Analysis
120 1. **Analyze Query Efficiency**: Are queries optimized for performance?
121 2. **Review Execution Plans**: Are execution plans analyzed and optimized?
122 3. **Check Query Patterns**: Are common query patterns optimized?
123 4. **Assess Performance Metrics**: Are performance metrics monitored?
125 ### Step 2: Indexing Assessment
126 1. **Check Index Usage**: Are indexes used appropriately for query patterns?
127 2. **Evaluate Index Selection**: Are indexes selected based on actual usage?
128 3. **Assess Index Maintenance**: Is index maintenance performed regularly?
129 4. **Review Index Performance**: Is index performance monitored and optimized?
131 ### Step 3: Schema Performance Analysis
132 1. **Check Normalization**: Is normalization balanced with performance needs?
133 2. **Evaluate Data Types**: Are data types chosen for efficiency?
134 3. **Assess Storage Patterns**: Are storage patterns optimized for access?
135 4. **Review Partitioning**: Is partitioning implemented for large tables?
137 ### Step 4: Execution Plan Analysis
138 1. **Check Execution Plans**: Are execution plans analyzed for optimization?
139 2. **Evaluate Join Strategies**: Are join strategies optimized?
140 3. **Assess Access Methods**: Are access methods efficient?
141 4. **Review Performance Testing**: Is performance testing performed?
143 ### Step 5: Resource Management Assessment
144 1. **Check Resource Utilization**: Are database resources used efficiently?
145 2. **Evaluate Connection Management**: Is connection pooling implemented?
146 3. **Assess Scalability**: Is the system designed for scalability?
147 4. **Review Monitoring**: Is resource utilization monitored?
149 ## ISO/IEC Standards-Specific Criticism Guidelines
151 ### Focus on Performance Optimization
153 - "The query plan shows a full table scan due to a missing index on the WHERE clause column."
154 - "The use of a correlated subquery is inefficient; consider using a JOIN instead."
155 - "The schema is over-normalized, causing excessive joins and poor performance."
156 - "The execution plan indicates a poor join strategy that could be optimized."
159 - "This query is slow."
160 - "This needs optimization."
161 - "This is inefficient."
163 ### Emphasize Performance Best Practices
165 - "The missing index on column X causes full table scans for this query pattern."
166 - "The correlated subquery in the SELECT clause can be replaced with a more efficient JOIN."
167 - "The data type VARCHAR(255) is inefficient for this use case; consider a more appropriate type."
168 - "The execution plan shows a nested loop join that could be optimized with proper indexing."
171 - "This is not optimized."
172 - "This could be faster."
173 - "This is inefficient."
175 ## ISO/IEC Standards-Specific Problem Categories
177 ### Query Performance Problems
178 - **Inefficient Queries**: Poorly optimized queries with slow execution
179 - **Missing Indexes**: Lack of indexes on frequently queried columns
180 - **Poor Execution Plans**: Suboptimal execution plans leading to slow performance
181 - **Inefficient Joins**: Poor join strategies causing performance issues
183 ### Indexing Problems
184 - **Missing Indexes**: Lack of indexes on columns used in WHERE, JOIN, and ORDER BY clauses
185 - **Redundant Indexes**: Duplicate or overlapping indexes
186 - **Unused Indexes**: Indexes that are not used by any queries
187 - **Poor Index Selection**: Indexes that don't match query patterns
189 ### Schema Performance Problems
190 - **Over-Normalization**: Excessive normalization causing performance issues
191 - **Poor Data Types**: Inefficient data type selection affecting storage and performance
192 - **Missing Partitioning**: Lack of partitioning for large tables
193 - **Inefficient Storage**: Poor storage patterns for frequently accessed data
195 ### Execution Plan Problems
196 - **Poor Execution Plans**: Suboptimal execution plans leading to slow queries
197 - **Missing Performance Analysis**: Lack of execution plan analysis and optimization
198 - **Inefficient Access Methods**: Poor access methods for data retrieval
199 - **Missing Performance Testing**: Lack of performance testing and benchmarking
201 ### Resource Management Problems
202 - **Inefficient Resource Usage**: Poor utilization of database resources
203 - **Connection Issues**: Inadequate connection management and pooling
204 - **Scalability Problems**: Lack of scalability planning for data growth
205 - **Missing Monitoring**: Lack of resource utilization monitoring
207 ## ISO/IEC Standards-Specific Criticism Templates
209 ### For Query Performance Issues
211 Query Performance Issue: [Specific performance problem]
212 Problem: [What makes this query inefficient]
213 Impact: [Potential for slow queries, resource exhaustion, or scalability issues]
214 Evidence: [Query plans, execution times, or performance metrics]
215 Priority: [High/Medium/Low]
218 ### For Indexing Issues
220 Indexing Issue: [Specific indexing problem]
221 Problem: [What makes this indexing strategy inadequate]
222 Impact: [Potential for slow queries due to missing or inefficient indexes]
223 Evidence: [Query patterns, execution plans, or index usage statistics]
224 Priority: [High/Medium/Low]
227 ### For Schema Performance Issues
229 Schema Performance Issue: [Specific schema performance problem]
230 Problem: [What makes this schema design inefficient]
231 Impact: [Potential for poor performance due to schema design issues]
232 Evidence: [Schema design, normalization level, or data type choices]
233 Priority: [High/Medium/Low]
236 ### For Execution Plan Issues
238 Execution Plan Issue: [Specific execution plan problem]
239 Problem: [What makes this execution plan inefficient]
240 Impact: [Potential for slow queries due to poor execution plans]
241 Evidence: [Execution plan analysis, query performance metrics]
242 Priority: [High/Medium/Low]
245 ### For Resource Management Issues
247 Resource Management Issue: [Specific resource management problem]
248 Problem: [What makes this resource usage inefficient]
249 Impact: [Potential for resource exhaustion or scalability issues]
250 Evidence: [Resource utilization metrics, connection patterns]
251 Priority: [High/Medium/Low]
254 ## ISO/IEC Standards-Specific Criticism Best Practices
257 - **Focus on Performance Metrics**: Use specific performance measurements and metrics
258 - **Analyze Execution Plans**: Review and optimize query execution plans
259 - **Consider Scalability**: Evaluate performance for growing data volumes
260 - **Monitor Resource Usage**: Track and optimize resource utilization
261 - **Document Performance Decisions**: Clearly document performance optimization decisions
264 - **Ignore Performance Issues**: Don't overlook performance problems
265 - **Accept Poor Performance**: Don't tolerate inefficient queries or schemas
266 - **Skip Performance Testing**: Don't ignore performance testing and benchmarking
267 - **Overlook Resource Usage**: Don't accept inefficient resource utilization
268 - **Forget Monitoring**: Don't skip performance monitoring and analysis
270 ## ISO/IEC Standards-Specific Criticism Checklist
272 ### Query Performance Assessment
273 - [ ] Are queries optimized for performance and scalability?
274 - [ ] Are execution plans reviewed and optimized?
275 - [ ] Are unnecessary full table scans avoided?
276 - [ ] Are WHERE clauses optimized for efficient filtering?
277 - [ ] Are aggregate functions used efficiently?
279 ### Indexing Assessment
280 - [ ] Are indexes used appropriately to speed up data access?
281 - [ ] Are indexes selected based on actual query patterns?
282 - [ ] Are redundant or unused indexes identified and removed?
283 - [ ] Is index maintenance performed regularly?
284 - [ ] Is index usage monitored and optimized?
286 ### Schema Performance Assessment
287 - [ ] Is normalization balanced with performance needs?
288 - [ ] Are data types chosen for efficiency and storage optimization?
289 - [ ] Are large objects handled efficiently?
290 - [ ] Is partitioning implemented for large tables?
291 - [ ] Are storage patterns optimized for access patterns?
293 ### Execution Plan Assessment
294 - [ ] Are execution plans analyzed for optimization opportunities?
295 - [ ] Are performance bottlenecks identified and addressed?
296 - [ ] Is query performance monitored and tracked?
297 - [ ] Are join strategies optimized for efficiency?
298 - [ ] Is performance testing and benchmarking performed?
300 ### Resource Management Assessment
301 - [ ] Are database resources used efficiently?
302 - [ ] Is connection pooling implemented properly?
303 - [ ] Is the system designed for scalability?
304 - [ ] Is resource utilization monitored and optimized?
305 - [ ] Are concurrent access patterns optimized?
307 ## ISO/IEC Standards-Specific Evaluation Questions
310 1. **Are queries optimized for performance and scalability?**
311 2. **Are indexes used appropriately to speed up data access?**
312 3. **Are execution plans reviewed and optimized?**
313 4. **Is normalization balanced with performance needs?**
314 5. **Are performance metrics monitored and addressed?**
315 6. **Are database resources used efficiently?**
316 7. **Is connection pooling implemented properly?**
317 8. **Are performance bottlenecks identified and addressed?**
318 9. **Is performance testing and benchmarking performed?**
319 10. **Are concurrent access patterns optimized?**
321 ### For Database Schemas
322 1. **Is normalization applied appropriately for performance requirements?**
323 2. **Are indexes used to support query performance?**
324 3. **Are data types chosen for efficiency and storage optimization?**
325 4. **Is partitioning implemented for large tables?**
326 5. **Are storage patterns optimized for access patterns?**
328 ### For Stored Procedures and Triggers
329 1. **Are queries within procedures optimized for performance?**
330 2. **Are execution plans analyzed for optimization opportunities?**
331 3. **Is resource usage monitored and optimized?**
332 4. **Are performance bottlenecks identified and addressed?**
333 5. **Is performance testing performed for procedures?**
335 ### For Performance and Scalability
336 1. **Are queries optimized for performance and scalability?**
337 2. **Are indexes used appropriately to speed up data access?**
338 3. **Are execution plans reviewed and optimized?**
339 4. **Is normalization balanced with performance needs?**
340 5. **Are performance metrics monitored and addressed?**
342 ## SQL Performance Principles Applied
344 ### "Optimize for Efficiency and Speed"
345 - Design queries for optimal performance
346 - Use appropriate indexes for query patterns
347 - Analyze and optimize execution plans
349 ### "Balance Normalization with Performance"
350 - Apply normalization appropriately for the use case
351 - Consider performance implications of schema design
352 - Optimize storage patterns for access patterns
354 ### "Monitor and Optimize Resources"
355 - Use database resources efficiently
356 - Implement proper connection management
357 - Monitor and optimize resource utilization
359 ### "Plan for Scalability"
360 - Design for growing data volumes
361 - Consider concurrent access patterns
362 - Implement performance testing and benchmarking
364 ### "Analyze and Optimize Execution"
365 - Review execution plans for optimization opportunities
366 - Identify and address performance bottlenecks
367 - Monitor query performance metrics