What's the Most Efficient Method for Creating and Populating a Numbers Table?

Best Strategies for Creating and Populating Number Tables Efficiently

In the field of data optimization, it is crucial to create and populate numerical tables efficiently. This table plays a key role in various scenarios, including date ranges, serial values, and reference data. However, since there are multiple methods available, choosing the best method requires careful weighing.

To evaluate the most effective methods, we will evaluate them based on three key criteria:

• Best indexing: Make sure the number table is indexed for best performance.
• Row generation speed: A measure of how long it takes to populate a table, with a target number of ~10,000 rows.
• Code Simplicity: Evaluate the understandability and maintainability of the code you use.

Methodology and Benchmarks

We have collected several common ways to create and fill tables of numbers. Each method was modified to target the same table structure (NumbersTest) and number of rows (approximately 10,000 rows). We recorded the average execution time of each method over multiple iterations to allow for a comprehensive comparison.

1. Slow loop method (average 13.01 seconds): This method involves a series of loops, resulting in slower execution times.
2. Fast loop method (average 1.1658 seconds): A more efficient implementation of the loop method, but still much slower than other methods.
3. Single INSERT based on multiple UNIONs (average 488.6 ms) : Utilizing multiple UNIONs to generate numbers, this method has improved performance over the loop method.
4. Semi-loop method (average 348.3 ms): Use recursive insertion and utilize the ROW_NUMBER() function.
5. Single INSERT from Philip Kelley's answer (average 92.7 ms): Generate numbers using a series of subqueries and WITH statements.
6. Single INSERT from Mladen Prajdic's answer (82.3 ms average): Utilize the row_number() function, similar to method 5.
7. Single INSERT using sys.objects (average 56.3 ms) : Leveraging the sys.objects system table to generate numbers.

Analysis and suggestions

Based on the benchmark results and evaluation criteria, Method 7 emerges as the best choice for creating and populating tables of numbers. It shows:

• Best Index: Automatically adds a clustered primary key to the table.
• Breaking fast row generation: Efficiently populate tables with extremely short execution times.
• Code simplicity: Use a concise single INSERT statement to enhance readability and maintainability.

Conclusion

Our in-depth analysis determined that a single INSERT using sys.objects (Method 7) is the best way to create and populate a table of numbers. This approach not only meets the criteria for optimal indexing, fast row generation, and simple code, but also provides a reliable and scalable solution for your data management needs.

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