Timeout when creating a view

Question

Hi, apologies if this has been posted in the wrong place, new to SQL Server and these forums!
We have a large-ish transaction file (around 57million rows currently) which i'm trying to aggregate to a weekly level to aid with reporting, so attempting to create a view in SQL Server Management Studio but getting the below error:
'Tmeout Expired. The timeout perioed elapsed prior to completion of the operation or the server is not responding'
below is the SQL for the view:
SELECT TOP (100) PERCENT dbo.D_TIME2.RET_YEAR,
dbo.D_TIME2.RET_MONTH,
dbo.D_TIME2.RET_WEEK_ID,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.DOOR_ID,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.DOCTYPE,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.SELLTHRU_TYPE,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.CURRENCY,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.SKU_ID,
SUM(dbo.F_DSTSKU.SALES_UNITS) AS Units,
SUM(dbo.F_DSTSKU.SALES_VALUE) AS Value
FROM dbo.F_DSTSKU
LEFT OUTER JOIN
dbo.D_TIME2
ON dbo.F_DSTSKU.TRANSACTION_DATE = dbo.D_TIME2.DATE
GROUP BY dbo.D_TIME2.RET_YEAR,
dbo.D_TIME2.RET_MONTH,
dbo.D_TIME2.RET_WEEK_ID,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.DOOR_ID,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.DOCTYPE,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.SELLTHRU_TYPE,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.CURRENCY,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.SKU_ID
ORDER BY dbo.D_TIME2.RET_YEAR,
dbo.D_TIME2.RET_MONTH,
dbo.D_TIME2.RET_WEEK_ID,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.DOOR_ID,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.DOCTYPE,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.SELLTHRU_TYPE,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.CURRENCY,
dbo.F_DSTSKU.SKU_ID
I've checked through all the properties i can find, and query execution is either set to unlimited or 65,000 seconds, but i'm getting this error popping up after about 30 seconds. Any ideas?

Answer 1

A view, like a table, has no inherent order despite your attempt to make it so.  By definition, any resultset is unordered if the generating query does not include an order by clause.  Do not be fooled - many have.  The only reason an order
by clause is allowed in a view is to support the top clause - but the database engine is smart enough to ignore the use of "top 100 percent" since it is a meaningless directive. 
Next - and this likely has nothing to do with your issue - is the use of an outer join.  I hope you understand what the effect of this join is on the results your query generates.  If your current data is such that there is always a match for every
row between the tables, you may be misleading yourself. 
Next - what is the version, edition, and sp level of your server instance and what is the compatibility level of the database if it is not current with the version?  This is something you should always identify when posting questions.  It is usually
relevant information.
Next - I suggest you create the view using a create sql statement (as opposed to the SSMS gui).  You will find that SSMS can get in the way of performing a task and can add some problems of its own. 
Lastly, make no assumptions and help your readers help you.  Presumably F_DKTSKU and D_TIME2 are tables.  If they are views, that adds another layer of complexity to the problem.  For this reason it is generally advisable to include the DDL
for the tables and objects involved in your question.  It would also help to see the complete view definition - including all of the options you have chosen (explicitly or implicitly).  But first try to create your view with an actual query. 
That alone has a high probability of succeeding.