Question: I want to send an SQL query Execution Plan in text to the DBA. What is the best way to create the Execution Plan?

Answer:  There are three commands in SQL Server I use for SQL Server Query Tuning.    They each offer  different levels of information and presentation.     Read up in BOL about various options such as SET NOEXEC

SET SHOWPLAN_TEXT ON|OFF

SET SHOWPLAN_ALL ON|OFF

SET SET SHOWPLAN_XML ON|OFF

I prefer  SET SHOWPLAN_ALL , as it offers extra information , in a tabular format.  It makes it easy to spot potential problems.  I build scripts to analyse the output.

SET SHOWPLAN_TEXT is easier to read

 With some training , it doesn’t take very long to understand the details offered. Typical uses include:

1) SEEK versus SCAN

2) The order of occurrence

3) Comparing query plans – “What is the most  cost efficient approach to a query?”

4) Looking for clues – such as Hash Joins , that will allow query perfomance improvement