sys.dm_db_index_usage_stats
Returns counts of different types of index operations and the time each type of operation was last performed.
| Column name | Data type | Description |
|---|---|---|
database_id |
smallint |
ID of the database on which the table or view is defined. |
object_id |
int |
ID of the table or view on which the index is defined |
index_id |
int |
ID of the index. |
user_seeks |
bigint |
Number of seeks by user queries. |
user_scans |
bigint |
Number of scans by user queries. |
user_lookups |
bigint |
Number of bookmark lookups by user queries. |
user_updates |
bigint |
Number of updates by user queries. |
last_user_seek |
datetime |
Time of last user seek |
last_user_scan |
datetime |
Time of last user scan. |
last_user_lookup |
datetime |
Time of last user lookup. |
last_user_update |
datetime |
Time of last user update. |
system_seeks |
bigint |
Number of seeks by system queries. |
system_scans |
bigint |
Number of scans by system queries. |
system_lookups |
bigint |
Number of lookups by system queries. |
system_updates |
bigint |
Number of updates by system queries. |
last_system_seek |
datetime |
Time of last system seek. |
last_system_scan |
datetime |
Time of last system scan. |
last_system_lookup |
datetime |
Time of last system lookup. |
last_system_update |
datetime |
Time of last system update. |
Remarks
Every individual seek, scan, lookup, or update on the specified index by one query execution is counted as a use of that index and increments the corresponding counter in this view. Information is reported both for operations caused by user-submitted queries, and for operations caused by internally generated queries, such as scans for gathering statistics.
The user_updates counter indicates the level of maintenance on the index caused by insert, update, or delete operations on the underlying table or view. You can use this view to determine which indexes are used only lightly all by your applications. You can also use the view to determine which indexes are incurring maintenance overhead. You may want to consider dropping indexes that incur maintenance overhead, but are not used for queries, or are only infrequently used for queries.
The counters are initialized to empty whenever the SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) service is started. In addition, whenever a database is detached or is shut down (for example, because AUTO_CLOSE is set to ON), all rows associated with the database are removed.
When an index is used, a row is added to sys.dm_db_index_usage_stats if a row does not already exist for the index. When the row is added, its counters are initially set to zero.
Permissions
Requires VIEW SERVER STATE permission. For more information, see Dynamic Management Views and Functions.
See Also
Reference
Dynamic Management Views and Functions
Index-Related Dynamic Management Views and Functions
sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats
sys.dm_db_index_operational_stats
sys.indexes (Transact-SQL)
sys.objects (Transact-SQL)
Other Resources
General Index Design Guidelines
Monitoring and Tuning for Performance