Sql Version Comparison

  • Hi,

    Could someone please confirm if the query optimiser differs between the following versions of SQL Server, and if possible what the differences are:

    - 2008 R2 RTM

    - 2008 R2 Sp1

    Thanks

  • Only where the fixes listed for that Service Pack need it to. The general aim of a Service Pack is to fix bugs, but not to otherwise alter functionality, so you'd expect them to be very minor changes.

    The full list of fixes is here:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2463333

    If you're seeing different plans/performance between the two versions, it's far more likely to be due to differences in statistics, data or parameter sniffing.

  • Ok, thanks for your help.

  • You should be aware that most changes to the optimizer, especially the ones that lead to plan instability, are not actually turned on when you install a service pack. Read here about trace flag 4199 which is how you enable them. Remember, thorough testing is your best friend in these situations.

    "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
    - Theodore Roosevelt

    Author of:
    SQL Server Execution Plans
    SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

  • Hi Grant,

    Thanks for your reply. Doesnt this trace only apply to hotfixes? I was under the impression that Service Packs enable this by default. I believe this is also what the article says (alhtough I may have misinterpreted it).

    Thanks

  • Not sure. Reading the KB, it could be interpreted to only apply to CU & hot fixes, but I don't have a definitive answer there.

    "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
    - Theodore Roosevelt

    Author of:
    SQL Server Execution Plans
    SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

  • No problem. Thanks for your help with this.

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