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Analyze a Simple SELECT Query Execution Plan


Basic Query Plan Analysis Using EXPLAIN in PostgreSQL

Write a PostgreSQL query to display the execution plan of a simple SELECT query using EXPLAIN.

Solution:

-- Specify the action to display the execution plan.
EXPLAIN 
-- Define the query to be analyzed.
SELECT * FROM Employees;

Explanation:

  • Purpose of the Query:
    • To show how PostgreSQL plans to execute a basic SELECT query.
    • This introduces the concept of query planning and cost estimation.
  • Key Components:
    • EXPLAIN : Instructs PostgreSQL to output the execution plan.
    • SELECT * FROM Employees : The query whose plan is being analyzed.
  • Real-World Application:
    • Useful for initial performance reviews when tuning simple queries.

Notes:

  • The output details estimated costs, rows, and execution steps without running the query.

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

  • Write a PostgreSQL query using EXPLAIN to display the execution plan for a SELECT query filtering on a numeric column in the "Products" table.
  • Write a PostgreSQL query using EXPLAIN to show the execution plan for a SELECT query that orders data by the "created_at" column in the "Logs" table.
  • Write a PostgreSQL query using EXPLAIN to display the plan for a simple JOIN query between "Customers" and "Orders" tables.
  • Write a PostgreSQL query using EXPLAIN to display the execution plan for a SELECT query with a LIMIT clause on the "Users" table.


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