Optimisation tips from our database development team
Today, we’re offering some optimisation tips from our database development team to help you get more from your current infrastructure. Now, as always, if you’re a bit thin on dev talent, Wirebox is available to support you in plugging those gaps to create a competitive advantage with digital products. However, if you’re a go’er, here are some ways to get more from your current database:
Why database optimisation matters
When your database is structured correctly, it’s able to process data faster; that means more queries per hour and potentially more profits. It also reduces server load, which saves money, as you’ll not need to upgrade and can keep hosting costs down. And lastly, a better structure means it’s easier to maintain and keep clean.
Database optimisation tips
Here are some of the most basic optimisation tips from our database development team:
Smart indexing
Indexes help the database find things faster, but too many indexes can slow things down when adding or updating data. To keep the volume down, use indexes on columns that are frequently searched or filtered in queries, like “phone number” in a user’s table.
Query optimisation
When you’ve got good indexes, writing efficient SQL queries is next. Avoid SELECT * queries that retrieve all columns, unless totally necessary. Bringing back more data than you need slows things down. Use WHERE clauses whenever possible to narrow down results. And use your JOINs carefully; they can be powerful but slow.
Sharding & partitioning
If you’re working with large volumes of data in a high-traffic system, you’ll want to apply partitioning and sharding. Partitioning is where we split large tables into smaller pieces, like by date. And sharding is where you spread that data across multiple servers or databases to keep the load light.
Clever caching
Caching is like a Post-it note on your fridge. It stores results temporarily so they’re easy to get to, and they don’t have to be fetched from the database every time. Use tools like Redis or Memcached to enable clean caching, but be careful with updates because cached data can become outdated quickly.
Pooling & resources
Each database connection uses memory and processing. By using connection pooling, you can reuse a small number of open connections instead of opening a new one each time. This reduces overhead and helps the database scale better under load.
When to bring in database experts
Even if you’ve followed these tips, you might find that your performance still isn’t where you want it to be. Maybe your database is growing rapidly and becoming harder to manage yourself? Or perhaps you don’t have the in-house expertise to really dig in and find those efficiencies… In that case, it might be time to bring in professionals, like our team here at Wirebox, who can pinpoint issues fast and set up sustainable solutions for the future.
If you’d like us to have a look at your database, then get in touch today. We’d love to do a full audit and explain the performance benefits we can get from your current systems just with some careful tweaks.
