Abstract: Internal communications within components of an automated physical database design tool may be conducted in a data description language such as XML. Inputs to and outputs from the automated physical database design tool may also be presented in the data description language (e.g., XML). The communications, inputs and outputs may comply with a schema for the data description language. The schema may be written in a schema language such as XSD. Inputs presented in the data description language may comprise tuning options. Outputs may comprise a proposed physical design for a database and reports.

Abstract: An automated physical database design tool may provide an integrated physical design recommendation for horizontal partitioning, indexes and indexed views, all three features being tuned together (in concert). Manageability requirements may be specified when optimizing for performance. User-specified configuration may enable the specification of a partial physical design without materialization of the physical design. The tuning process may be performed for a production server but may be conducted substantially on a test server. Secondary indexes may be suggested for XML columns. Tuning of a database may be invoked by any owner of a database. Usage of objects may be evaluated and a recommendation for dropping unused objects may be issued. Reports may be provided concerning the count and percentage of queries in the workload that reference a particular database, and/or the count and percentage of queries in the workload that reference a particular table or column.