Speedup SQL

- Normalize Tables
- Avoid using cursors
- Index Columns

- Increase timeouts

- Avoid using un-necessary indexes
- Avoid using GOTO
- Avoid NULLABLE columns
- Avoid TEXT datatype
- Avoid IMAGE datatype
- Avoid SELECT * instead of select columns
- Avoid SELECT max(ID) instead of SCOPE_IDENTITY or IDENT_CURRENT

- Avoid bulk INSERT instead of DTS

- Don't start SP with "sp_"

- Use Analyze Query Plans
- Use of @@ERROR for trap errors
- Use of Count(*) for find number of rows
- Use SET NOCOUNT ON in stored procedures
- Avoid of more DISTINCT, LIKE ORDER BY, OUTER JOIN, UNION
- Avoid of more MATH
- Set Index - Fill Factor (increase percent for static data table with minimum INSERT and DELETE)

References
[1] http://forums.codecharge.com/posts.php?post_id=75008
[2] http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/datacenter/speed-up-sql-server-database-queries-with-these-tips/173