Answer
Statistics describe data distribution that SQL Server uses to estimate row counts.
Bad or outdated stats ? misestimation ? poor plans ? slow queries.
Quick Answer
Statistics are metadata objects containing histograms of column value distribution. SQL Server uses them to estimate selectivity — how many rows a filter returns. Good statistics → accurate estimates → efficient plans. Stale statistics → wrong estimates → scans instead of seeks, wrong joins, wasted memory grants.
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SugharaIQ Editorial Team
Verified Answer
This answer has been peer-reviewed by industry experts holding senior engineering roles to ensure technical accuracy and relevance for modern interview standards.
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Source: SugharaIQ