How can I optimize database queries to reduce server load?
Asked on Sep 29, 2025
Answer
Optimizing database queries is crucial for reducing server load and improving performance. This involves using efficient query structures, indexing, and minimizing data retrieval.
Example Concept: Use indexing to speed up query performance by creating indexes on columns that are frequently used in WHERE clauses or as join keys. This reduces the amount of data the database engine needs to scan, thus lowering server load.
Additional Comment:
- Analyze query performance using tools like EXPLAIN in MySQL or PostgreSQL to identify slow queries.
- Use SELECT statements to retrieve only necessary columns instead of using SELECT *.
- Implement query caching to store results of frequent queries and reduce database hits.
- Normalize your database to eliminate redundancy and improve data integrity, but consider denormalization for read-heavy applications.
- Regularly update and maintain your database indexes to ensure they are used effectively.
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