Documentation / Query Benchmark / Getting Started

Getting Started — Query Benchmark

Prefer Dual Environment when comparing hardware/versions with the same SQL text, and Compare Queries when A/B testing two query rewrites on one server. Always pick Cache & Stats options that match whether you are measuring cold vs warm plans.

Getting Started

Connections sidebar and connection pickers on the Query Benchmark main page
  1. Accept Terms and activate a license or start the 14-day trial.
  2. In the left Connections sidebar, click Add Server. Enter server, port, authentication (Windows, SQL, or Entra ID), encryption, and trust options. Test and save the connection with a clear display name.
  3. On the main page, choose the saved connection from the connection picker. Selecting it connects automatically — there is no separate Connect button.
  4. Select the Database (dropdown populates after connect). For Dual Environment, pick Env A and Env B connections side by side.
  5. Paste SQL into Query A (and Query B for Compare). Optionally click Detect @params and set parameter sources (Fixed / Random / Range / Csv / Dataset).
  6. Pick Iterations and Users (concurrency) from the preset dropdowns (1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100…), plus warm-up and Cache & Stats options (one compact row).
  7. Review Advanced settings (always visible): duration, ramp-up, think time, MAXDOP, isolation, live metrics, collect plan.
  8. Optionally fill Change notes / Expected improvement for the history record.
  9. Click Run Benchmark. Review KPIs and percentile latency (P50–P99).
  10. Use File → Save Scenario (name the scenario in the dialog), File → Export, or open Query Tuning Assistant from Help or the Results toolbar.

Connections: manage vs pick

  • Connections sidebar — Add, list, and edit saved SQL Server profiles (same pattern as SQL Server Compare). Collapse the sidebar with the chevron when you need more editor space.
  • Main-page pickers — Choose a saved connection for the run; the app connects as soon as you select it. Status shows Connected / Disconnect.
  • Windows / Entra Default — Username and password stay disabled in the Add/Edit dialog.
  • SQL Auth / Entra Password / Service Principal — Username (or Client ID) and password required.
  • Entra MFA — Optional UPN; password hidden (interactive sign-in).
  • Same database — On Compare Queries, keep Query A and Query B on one database, or uncheck to pick a Query B database on the same server.
  • Dual Environment — Side-by-side Env A / Env B connection + database pickers for cross-server work.

Setup Options

Query A editor with sample SELECT and iterations set to 3

Settings are grouped in cards (Workload, Cache & Stats, Parameters, Advanced) for clearer scanning in light and dark themes.

  • Users (concurrency) — Preset dropdown: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 (editable).
  • Iterations — Preset dropdown for measured runs per user (or until duration expires).
  • Duration — Optional timed run under Advanced (0 = use iteration count only; presets include 5 / 15 / 30 / 60 minutes).
  • Warm-up — Extra runs excluded from statistics.
  • Ramp-up — Seconds to bring concurrent users online (Advanced).
  • Cache & Stats — One-row checkboxes for optional FREEPROCCACHE, DROPCLEANBUFFERS, FLUSHPROCINDB, UPDATE STATISTICS (lab / elevated rights).
  • Query parameters — Bind @Param names with Fixed, Random, Range, Csv, or Dataset values (see Interface).
  • Change notes — Free-text reason / expected improvement saved with scenarios and history.
  • MAXDOP / isolation — Optional advanced session options.
  • Live resource metrics — Polls DMVs during the run for CPU %, batch requests/sec, TempDB, and user connections. Short runs may show few samples; keep the checkbox on and use more iterations or a duration-based run so charts can fill.
  • Collect actual plan — Capture plans after the run for viewing / comparison and for the Query Tuning Assistant.

File menu

  • Save Scenario — Opens a dialog to name the scenario (SQL, parameters, workload settings).
  • Load Scenario — Submenu of saved scenarios.
  • Export — PDF, HTML, JSON, CSV, Markdown, Excel from the last results.
  • History — Opens the benchmark history workspace.

Licensing

14-day trial on first use; activate with a key from dblense.com. Manage license from Help → Manage License. The app checks for updates in the background (about once per day). Use Help → Check for Updates anytime to compare your installed version with the latest on dblense.com. Release notes: version history.