What would be the first step to check whether a query is getting executed?

The first step is to verify that the query is actually being sent to the database and that the database is receiving it. Start by checking the application logs or the database connection logs to confirm that the query string is being transmitted. If the query reaches the database, use the database’s monitoring tools (e.g., pg_stat_activity for PostgreSQL, sys.dm_exec_requests for SQL Server, or the query console in cloud services) to see if the query appears in the active or recent queries list. If it does, you can then inspect the execution plan to understand how the database is processing it. If the query never shows up, investigate network connectivity, authentication, or any middleware that might be blocking or dropping the request. This systematic approach ensures you identify whether the issue lies in the client, network, or database layer.