Gain hands-on experience with essential Oracle SQL tuning techniques. This course explores Oracle SQL performance tuning, covering execution plans, optimiser use, indexing, and key tools like Autotrace and SQL Tuning Advisor to improve application efficiency.
Oracle 12c SQL Performance Tuning
Speed up your SQL with hands-on tuning skills
Over two focused days, this course gives you the know-how to tune SQL in Oracle 12c (and later) for better app performance. Through live demonstrations and expert instruction, you’ll learn what to look for, what tools to use, and how to get results quickly.
Learning objectives
- Choose the right SQL tuning approach
- Understand execution plans
- Tune applications and queries
- Manage Oracle statistics
- Use the SQL Tuning Advisor
- Spot and fix slow SQL
- Create and tune indexes
- Apply hints effectively
What you’ll learn
Over two days, we’ll take a deep dive into Oracle’s tuning tools and techniques. You’ll get to grips with how to diagnose slow queries – and better still, how to fix them.
Tuning tools and techniques
You’ll get hands-on with Oracle’s key tuning tools: EXPLAIN PLAN, Autotrace, and SQL Trace. We’ll guide you through what they show and how to use them to diagnose slow-running SQL. It’s not just about gathering data; it’s about knowing what to do with it. You’ll learn how to interpret execution paths, spot costly operations, and identify areas for improvement, giving you a clear path to better performance without trial and error.
Using the optimiser
This part of the course helps you understand how Oracle decides the best way to run a query. We’ll explain how the optimiser uses statistics, how adaptive features affect plans, and what role your database setup plays. You’ll learn what you can do to help the optimiser make better decisions, from gathering stats to understanding key parameters, so you can avoid inefficient queries and inconsistent results across environments.
Indexes and joins
Learn how Oracle uses different types of indexes and how joins can affect SQL performance. You’ll explore when to use B*Tree, bitmap, or function-based indexes, and what might prevent Oracle from using them at all. We’ll also cover join strategies like nested loops, merge joins and hash joins, explaining how they work and when they’re most efficient. The goal is to help you write SQL that Oracle can run as quickly and efficiently as possible
What’s included
- Two days of instructor-led training in a live virtual classroom
- Interactive hands-on live labs
- All relevant course materials
- Certificate of attendance
Key facts
Who it’s for
Devs, technical support staff, and anyone who writes or maintains SQL in Oracle and wants to improve performance and efficiency.
Prerequisites
You’ll need a solid understanding of SQL. If you’ve completed our Oracle SQL or Oracle SQL Advanced courses, you’ll be in great shape.
Learning experience
Our experienced trainers and interactive labs create a focused, practical environment – so you can put theory into practice from day one.
FAQs
This hands-on course helps you tune SQL for better performance in Oracle 12c and beyond. It’s designed for people who write or support SQL and want practical techniques they can apply straight away.
What versions of Oracle does the course cover?
The course focuses on Oracle 12c but also supports later versions like 18c and 19c. The tuning techniques and tools we cover, like SQL Trace, Autotrace, and the SQL Tuning Advisor, work consistently across these versions. So even if you're not yet on the latest release, what you learn will still be applicable and valuable in your day-to-day role.
Is this course just for developers?
No, it’s broader than that. While application developers are a key audience, the course also suits support analysts, database consultants and systems engineers who need to work with SQL performance. If you're involved in maintaining Oracle-based systems and want to identify and fix inefficient queries, this course has your name on it.
Will I get hands-on practice during the course?
Definitely. We believe practical experience is key, so you’ll spend a good portion of the course working through exercises in a live lab setup. This means you won’t just learn concepts, you’ll road test them using real tools, so you can use them in your job straight away. It’s a safe environment to test your knowledge and ask questions as you go.
Can I take this course online?
Yes, you can join our live virtual classroom from wherever you’re based. The online experience is fully interactive and led by a live trainer, just like in-person training. You’ll be able to follow along with the trainer, take part in discussions, and complete all the same hands-on labs. It’s a flexible option that doesn’t compromise on the learning experience.
What our customers say
‘Always good courses from StayAhead. Tutor explained the course very well.’
Paul, Development Analyst, Application Support – Transport
‘The course was particularly good and certainly took my PL/SQL to another level. A lot of extremely useful stuff beyond programming. And certainly gave ideas what is possible. The instructor was particularly good and very knowledgeable and anything he didn't know he would investigate and come with the explanation. That is not my first class with him and one of the reason, I actually book with this company.’
Caroline, Government
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