The join operator used in a query can play a huge role in query performance, but many engineers wouldn't know where nested loops would be preferable to a hash match. This session will dive into how nested loops, hash match, and merge joins function so you can better understand which is the proper tool for each query.

Join an experienced database engineer as we review join operators and how they operate. We'll review the strengths and weaknesses of each, why this affects our index choices, how we can control our join operators, and why nested loops are fundamentally different than the other two. In this session, we'll explore how each operator functions, review examples from public databases, and see why estimates make a huge difference.

At the end of the talk, you'll better understand the impact join operators have on a query and a clearer idea of what a good plan for a query should look like. This session is intended for experienced database engineers and admins who want to augment their query tuning toolkit.