Query Store: A Retrospective - Evolution and Impact on Query Performance Troubleshooting

Explore the history and evolution of Query Store in this 48-minute conference talk by Conor Cunningham, an architect for the SQL core database engine at Microsoft. Gain insights into how Query Store has transformed query performance troubleshooting, from its inception to its current state. Delve into topics such as pre-Query Store challenges, table layout, architecture using the Observer Pattern, and the Query Store user experience in SSMS. Understand the mechanics behind Query Store's effectiveness, including binary persistence and major version upgrades in SQL Server. Examine the feature's development over time and its adaptation to cloud environments, with a focus on Azure SQL Database. This talk, presented at SQLBits, offers valuable knowledge for database professionals working with Azure, Query Store, and SQL Server architecture and infrastructure.

Intro
(Mostly) Fun Facts
What was it like before Query Store?
Table Layout
Architecture - Observer Pattern
Query Store UX - SSMS
Why does the Query Store "work"?
Binary Persistence
Major Version Upgrades (SQL Server)
Query Store Features Over Time
Biggest Blindspot - The Cloud
Azure SQL Database