Question

Re-index all tables while database is being used

Asked by: saturation

I have a web application hitting a database, but I need to re-index the tables fairly often.  Is it okay to run the following script while users are hitting the database from their browser requests, or do I really need to have everyone out while the indexing is running?

USE DBTest --Enter the name of the database you want to reindex 
 
DECLARE @TableName varchar(255) 
 
DECLARE TableCursor CURSOR FOR 
SELECT table_name FROM information_schema.tables 
WHERE table_type = 'base table' 
 
OPEN TableCursor 
 
FETCH NEXT FROM TableCursor INTO @TableName 
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0 
BEGIN 
DBCC DBREINDEX(@TableName,' ',90) 
FETCH NEXT FROM TableCursor INTO @TableName 
END 
 
CLOSE TableCursor 
 
DEALLOCATE TableCursor

                                  
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Asked On
2008-08-14 at 16:08:51ID23650030
Tags

Microsoft

,

SQL Server

,

2005

Topic

MS SQL Server

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
5

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Answers

 

by: danrosenthalPosted on 2008-08-14 at 16:18:27ID: 22235068

Rebuilding Indexes with your script will lock tables one at a time (if they are clustered indexes). I would recommend finding a low usage time to rebuild the indexes on a regular basis.

Another option would be to use DBCC INDEXDEFRAG which is not as effective, but does not lock the tables and could be used in between full rebuilding.
 

 

by: faiga16Posted on 2008-08-14 at 16:22:19ID: 22235086

Probably it's better not to use cursors. Try this one instead:

DECLARE @SQL  NVarchar(4000)
SET @SQL = ''

SELECT @SQL = @SQL + 'EXEC ' + NAME + '..sp_MSforeachtable @command1=''DBCC DBREINDEX (''''*'''')'', @replacechar=''*''' + Char(13) FROM MASTER..Sysdatabases WHERE [name] = 'DatabaseName'

PRINT @SQL
EXEC (@SQL)

 

by: acperkinsPosted on 2008-08-14 at 18:31:30ID: 22235471

And then the big question:  Why do you have to reindex continually?  A well designed database can go months with heavy traffic and not re-index.

 

by: saturationPosted on 2008-08-15 at 07:49:46ID: 22238658

I am using a pre-built CRM application that is way too large and has way too many unforeseen consequences to make any major tweaks.  So, I guess my question

1) How often should I be re-indexing (in a normal situation)?
2) What is the best way to build indexes to speed the application up?

 

by: acperkinsPosted on 2008-08-15 at 13:53:55ID: 22241694

>>How often should I be re-indexing (in a normal situation)?<<
Only when needed.  Again, that could be months.

>>What is the best way to build indexes to speed the application up?<<
Unless you are prepared to analyze every single query or even the most heavily used, you will not know what indexes to add without the potential to hinder more than help.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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