The execution plan is created using the Query Optimizer with the help of statistics, the Algebrizer / process tree . That's the Query Optimizer result and shows how your work is done.
There are 2 types of plans that are Estimated and Actual .
The execution plan is saved on the Plan Cache for reuse. Each plan is saved once unless the optimizer decides to perform parallel execution of the query.
There are 3 execution plan formats in SQL Server - Graphical Plan , Text Plan and XML Plan (Marked language format).
SHOWPLAN is required (Permisson) required if users want to see the execution plan.
Example 1
Below is the process to see the estimated execution plan.
Step 1 - Connect to the SQL Server installation. In this case is TESTINSTANCE as shown in the picture below.
Open the SQL Server installation
Step 2 - Select the database name (in this case TestDB) then click New Query and write the query below.
Select * from StudentTable 
Write a new query
Step 3 - Click the red highlighted icon in the image above to open the estimated execution plan as shown below.
Estimated execution plan
Step 4 - Place the mouse pointer on the Table Scan (the second icon in the red frame of the image above) to see the detailed estimated execution plan. The screen below will appear.
Detailed plan estimates
Example 2
This is the process to see the actual execution plan
Step 1 and Step 2 as in example 1.
Create a new query to see the actual execution plan
Step 3 - Click the red circled icon in the image above to open the actual execution plan as shown below.
Actual execution plan in SQL Server
Step 4 - Place your mouse pointer on the Table Scan (the second icon in the red frame of the image above) to see a detailed implementation plan. The screen below will appear.
Detailed execution plan
Step 5 - Finally click Results in the top left corner of the screen above.
Previous article: Reporting service in MS SQL Server
Next article: Integrated services in MS SQL Server
ncG1vNJzZmismaXArq3KnmWcp51ksrmxwq6roqeeYr2trc2sZJ6wlZjCtbXOp2SppJGjeqq6jKaqZquhoXq0sdGvnKs%3D