DBMS: Query Optimizer (Definitions)

"SQL Server code that analyzes queries and database objects and selects the appropriate query plan. The SQL Server optimizer is a cost-based optimizer. It estimates the cost of each permutation of table accesses in terms of CPU cost and I/O cost." (Karen Paulsell et al, "Sybase SQL Server: Performance and Tuning Guide", 1996)

"A SQL server tool that formulates an optimum execution plan for a query." (Owen Williams, "MCSE TestPrep: SQL Server 6.5 Design and Implementation", 1998)

"The SQL Server component responsible for generating the optimum execution plan for a query." (Microsoft Corporation, "SQL Server 7.0 System Administration Training Kit", 1999)

"The SQL Server database engine component responsible for generating efficient execution plans for SQL statements." (Anthony Sequeira & Brian Alderman, "The SQL Server 2000 Book", 2003)

"A term applied to a process, within a database engine, that attempts to find the fastest method of executing a SQL command against a database." (Gavin Powell, "Beginning Database Design", 2006)

"This is the component in SQL Server that analyzes your queries, compares them with available indexes, and decides which index will return a result set the fastest." (Joseph L Jorden & Dandy Weyn, "MCTS Microsoft SQL Server 2005: Implementation and Maintenance Study Guide - Exam 70-431", 2006)

"An optimization process running within SQL Server. Any queries submitted to SQL Server are first processed by the query optimizer. It determines the best way to run the query, including what indexes to use and what types of joins to use. The output is a query execution plan, sometimes called a query plan or just a plan." (Darril Gibson, "MCITP SQL Server 2005 Database Developer All-in-One Exam Guide", 2008)

"A process that generates query plans. For each query, the optimizer generates a plan that matches the query to the index that will return results as efficiently as possible. The optimizer reuses the query plan each time the query runs. If a collection changes significantly, the optimizer creates a new query plan." (MongoDb, "Glossary", 2008)

"The Optimizer is an internal technology that is responsible for selecting the most efficient means to accessing or altering information. It uses detailed statistics about the database to make the right decision." (Robert D Schneider & Darril Gibson, "Microsoft SQL Server 2008 All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies", 2008)

"A part of a DBMS that examines a nonprocedural data manipulation request and makes a determination of the most efficient way to process that request." (Jan L Harrington, "SQL Clearly Explained" 3rd Ed., 2010)

"The component of a relational database system responsible for analyzing SQL queries and producing optimal access paths for retrieving data from the database." (Craig S Mullins, "Database Administration", 2012)

"A component of the SQL and XQuery compiler that chooses an access plan for a data manipulation language statement by modeling the execution cost of many alternative access plans and choosing the one with the minimal estimated cost." (Sybase, "Open Server Server-Library/C Reference Manual", 2019)

"Built-in database software that determines the most efficient way to execute a SQL statement by considering factors related to the objects referenced and the conditions specified in the statement." (Oracle)

"The MySQL component that determines the best indexes and join order to use for a query, based on characteristics and data distribution of the relevant tables." (MySQL)

DBMS: Query Plan (Definitions)

"The ordered set of steps required to carry out a query, complete with the access methods chosen for each table." (Karen Paulsell et al, "Sybase SQL Server: Performance and Tuning Guide", 1996)

"A portion of a DBMS that determines the most efficient sequence of relational algebra operations to use to satisfy a query." (Jan L Harrington, "Relational Database Design and Implementation" 3rd Ed., 2009)

"The plan produced by an optimizer for processing a query." (S. Sumathi & S. Esakkirajan, "Fundamentals of Relational Database Management Systems", 2007)

"A query plan is a sequence of logical and physical operators and data flows that the SQL query optimizer returns for use by the query processor to retrieve or modify data." (Michael Coles, "Pro T-SQL 2008 Programmer's Guide", 2008)

"Once the query optimizer determines the best way to execute a query, it creates a query plan. This identifies all the elements of the query, including what indexes are used, what types of joins are employed, and more." (Darril Gibson, "MCITP SQL Server 2005 Database Developer All-in-One Exam Guide", 2008)

"A sequence of logical and physical operators and data flows that the SQL query optimizer returns for use by the query processor to retrieve or modify data." (Miguel Cebollero et al, "Pro T-SQL Programmer’s Guide" 4th Ed., 2015)

[adaptive query plan:] "An execution plan that changes after optimization because run-time conditions indicate that optimizer estimates are inaccurate. An adaptive query plan has different built-in plan options. During the first execution, before a specific subplan becomes active, the optimizer makes a final decision about which option to use. The optimizer bases its choice on observations made during the execution up to this point. Thus, an adaptive query plan enables the final plan for a statement to differ from the default plan." (Oracle)

[default plan:] "For an adaptive plan, the execution plan initially chosen by the optimizer using the statistics from the data dictionary. The default plan can differ from the final plan." (Oracle)

[execution plan:] "The combination of steps used by the database to execute a SQL statement. Each step either retrieves rows of data physically from the database or prepares them for the session issuing the statement." (Oracle)

[query execution plan:] "The set of decisions made by the optimizer about how to perform a query most efficiently, including which index or indexes to use, and the order in which to join tables." (MySQL)