Database Optimization

Database Optimization

When to Use

When designing schemas, reviewing slow queries, planning migrations, or auditing database performance.

Process

1. Schema review — normalization, types, constraints, naming
2. Index analysis — identify missing indexes from query patterns
3. Query optimization — rewrite N+1, subqueries, full scans
4. Migration safety — check for locks, data loss, rollback plan

Schema Checklist

• Primary keys on all tables
• Foreign keys with appropriate ON DELETE
• NOT NULL where business logic requires
• Appropriate column types (no text for dates, etc.)
• Created/updated timestamps
• Indexes on foreign keys and frequent WHERE/JOIN columns

Query Red Flags

• SELECT * in production code
• Missing LIMIT on unbounded queries
• N+1 query patterns (loop of individual selects)
• Subqueries that could be JOINs
• Missing indexes on WHERE/ORDER BY columns
• Full table scans on large tables

Migration Safety

• Add columns as nullable first, backfill, then add NOT NULL
• Create indexes CONCURRENTLY when possible
• Never rename columns in one step — add new, migrate, drop old
• Always include rollback migration
• Test on production-size dataset

Output Format

• 🔴 Critical — data loss risk or production outage
• 🟡 Warning — performance issue or schema smell
• 🟢 Suggestion — optimization opportunity