The NOEXEC option of SQL is used to specify that the SQL statements are not to be executed. Utilizing this command with the SHOWPLAN option enables us to quickly see the query plans for a SQL statement without having the query actually execute. This gives us a quick output of the steps the DB Server uses to execute the queries and if table scans or indexes are used.

Proper Usage

SET SHOWPLAN ON
SET NOEXEC ON
go

SELECT ID, F_NAME, L_NAME 
FROM USERS u WHERE u.GENDER = "F"
go