Taxonomy

Taxonomy is the science of classification. It comes from the Greek taxis meaning arrangement or division and nomos meaning law. It provides a conceptual framework for discussion, analysis, or information retrieval. It arranges hierarchically, elements of a group (taxon) into subgroups (taxa) that are mutually exclusive. Each group has the same properties, behaviours, and constraints. And each increasing level has further properties, behaviours, and constraints.

In biological terms this would be the classification of species.

Fragmentation

Fragmentation is the storing of data non-contiguously on disk.

Detecting Fragmentation

The level of fragmentation can be determined by running the Dynamic Management View (DMV): sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats.
To return information for all databases detailing all statistics for all tables and indexes within the instance of SQL Server run

SELECT * FROM sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats (NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL);

A couple of the DMV columns are defined below

avg_fragmentation_in_percent: Logical fragmentation for indexes, or extent fragmentation for heaps in the IN_ROW_DATA allocation unit.. The percent of logical fragmentation (out-of-order pages in the index). The lower this value, the better it is. If this value is higher than 10%, some corrective action should be taken.

avg_page_space_used_in_percent : Average percentage of available data storage space used in all pages. Higher the value, the better it is. A value is lower than 75%, some corrective action should be taken.

Reducing Fragmentation

After the degree of fragmentation is identified from sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats, a guideline on the course of action to be taken is listed below

avg fragmentation in percent	Suggested Action
> 5%	No action required
> 5% and < = 30%	ALTER INDEX REORGANIZE
> 30%	ALTER INDEX REBUILD WITH (ONLINE = ON) can be executed online or offline. A replacement for DBCC DBREINDEX