SA0072A : Check all Non-Key Indexes in the current database for following specified naming convention

Inconsistent or unclear index naming can lead to confusion and maintenance challenges.

Description

Maintaining consistent naming conventions for indexes is crucial for efficient database management and clarity. Without a standardized naming approach, identifying and understanding the role and structure of indexes can become difficult, especially as database systems grow in complexity.

For example, consider an index with a non-descriptive or inconsistent name:

SQL
Copy
1-- Example of poorly named index
2CREATE INDEX IX_12345 ON TableName (ColumnName);

This index name does not provide information about its type, related table, or included columns, making it harder for database administrators and developers to manage and optimize.

  • Difficulty in understanding the index’s purpose and the columns it covers, leading to poor performance tuning and maintenance.

  • Increased risk of errors or redundant indexes due to unclear naming, complicating schema changes and data integrity.

  • Challenges in automating index management processes and generating documentation without clear naming conventions.

How to fix

To resolve inconsistent index naming conventions in SQL Server, ensure all indexes follow a standardized naming approach that enhances clarity and aids in database management.

Follow these steps to address the issue:

  1. Identify the indexes with non-descriptive or inconsistent names using a query like SELECT name FROM sys.indexes WHERE name NOT LIKE ‘ExpectedPattern%’; to list indexes that deviate from your naming conventions.

  2. Review the naming conventions to create a descriptive pattern. For example, use IX_TableName_ColumnNames to incorporate the table and columns involved, clarifying the index’s purpose.

  3. Rename the index using the sp_rename stored procedure: EXEC sp_rename ‘OldIndexName’, ‘NewIndexName’; ensuring the new name adheres to the established naming conventions.

  4. Verify that the renaming has been successful and that the indexes follow the updated conventions using the query SELECT name FROM sys.indexes WHERE name LIKE ‘ExpectedPattern%’;.

For example:

SQL
Copy
1-- Example of renaming an index
2EXEC sp_rename 'IX_12345', 'IX_TableName_ColumnName';

Scope

The rule has a ContextOnly scope and is applied only on current server and database schema.

Parameters
Name Description Default Value
ClusteredIndexNamePattern

Clustered non-unique index name patten.

CIX_{table_name}_{column_list}
ClusteredUniqueIndexNamePattern

Unique clustered index name patten.

IX_{table_name}_{column_list}
ColumnsListSeparator

Separator which to be used for separating the columns in the {column_list} placeholder.

_
NonClusteredIndexNamePattern

Non-clustered non-unique index name pattern.

IX_{table_name}_{column_list}
NonClusteredUniqueIndexNamePattern

Non-clustered unique index name pattern.

AK_{table_name}_{column_list}
SpatialIndexNamePattern

Spatial index name pattern.

SIdx_{table_name}_{column_list}
XmlIndexPrimaryNamePattern

Primary XML index name pattern.

PXML_{table_name}_{column_list}
XmlIndexSecondaryTypePathNamePattern

Secondary XML Path index pattern.

XMLPATH_{table_name}_{column_list}
XmlIndexSecondaryTypePropertyNamePattern

Secondary XML Property index pattern.

XMLPROPERTY_{table_name}_{column_list}
XmlIndexSecondaryTypeValueNamePattern

Secondary XML Value index pattern.

XMLVALUE_{table_name}_{column_list}
Remarks

The rule requires Analysis Context. If context is missing, the rule will be skipped during analysis.

Effort To Fix
8 minutes per issue.
Categories

Naming Rules, Code Smells

Additional Information

There is no additional info for this rule.

See Also

Other Resources

Analysis Rules