In this chapter, we reviewed the XEvents engine in SQL Server and how you can leverage XEvent traces to gather detailed data about query execution and performance. We also discussed the various free tools from Microsoft that can be used to quickly and easily configure, capture, and analyze XEvent traces. Together with DMVs, we now have several tools in our toolbelt that can be used to diagnose and troubleshoot the various issues covered throughout the book.
In the next chapter, we will review yet another tool that is part of SQL Server designed to help diagnose query performance issues using SSMS for the analysis of query plans.