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I Flipped a Switch in BigQuery and My Queries Got 30% Faster for Free
In the world of data analytics, we’re all chasing the same things: speed, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. We write complex ETLs, optimize our SQL, and meticulously partition our tables. But what if I told you that you could get a significant performance boost — I’m talking a ~30% reduction in query runtime — across your entire BigQuery project with a single command and zero code changes?
It sounds too good to be true, but it’s not. It’s called BigQuery Advanced Runtime, and it’s a game-changer. I recently enabled it on one of my projects running on an on-demand pricing model, and the results were immediate and impressive. Here’s what you need to know.
Real-world proof: My project’s query performance after enabling the new runtime. The results speak for themselves. Friendly link to article.
On this project we got an average 0.55 seconds improvement. A reduction in query time from 0.7 seconds to 0.15 seconds represents a 78.57% improvement. On average it could be up to 30% improvements.
A Quick Reality Check: Your Mileage May Vary
Now, before you flip the switch expecting every single query to suddenly run 3 times faster, let’s be clear.
It’s crucial to understand that…
