Question

I’m newbie in t-sql, and I wonder why this query executes so long ? Is there any way to optimize this ??

update aggregateflags set value=@value where objecttype=@objecttype and objectcode=@objectcode and storagetype=@storagetype and value != 2 and type=@type 
IF @@ROWCOUNT=0 
Select * from aggregateflags where objecttype=@objecttype and objectcode=@objectcode and storagetype=@storagetype and value = 2 and type=@type  
IF @@ROWCOUNT=0  
insert into aggregateflags (objectcode,objecttype,value,type,storagetype) 
select @objectcode,@objecttype,@value,@type,@storagetype

@value int
@storagetype int
@type int
@objectcode nvarchar(100)
@objecttype int

There is not foreign key.

Answer 1

Would be easier to know the structure of aggregateflags table — column types and indexes.

I would try:

1. Check if there is matching index on table aggregateflags. If not find other matching or create one — matching index for query is the most important thing (checking executing plan can help you).
2. Add hints (if you can) WITH (ROWLOCK) for UPDATE and WITH (NOLOCK) for SELECT statement — this help to avoid locking editing or reading data.
3. Change SELECT * FROM aggregateflags... to SELECT TOP 1 1 FROM aggregateflags WITH (NOLOCK)... — you don’t need data — you just need to check if row exists.