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✅ Quick Tips for Writing Efficient SQL Queries

This document provides practical tips for writing efficient SQL queries to enhance performance and resource management, particularly with large datasets. Key recommendations include selecting specific columns, leveraging indexes, filtering data early, and optimizing joins. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of analyzing query execution plans and testing queries on sample data to ensure efficiency.

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amrutesh
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5 views8 pages

✅ Quick Tips for Writing Efficient SQL Queries

This document provides practical tips for writing efficient SQL queries to enhance performance and resource management, particularly with large datasets. Key recommendations include selecting specific columns, leveraging indexes, filtering data early, and optimizing joins. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of analyzing query execution plans and testing queries on sample data to ensure efficiency.

Uploaded by

amrutesh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Quick Tips for

Writing Efficient
SQL Queries
Efficient SQL queries save time, resources, and ensure optimal performance, especially
when working with large datasets or complex operations. This guide provides practical
tips for writing efficient SQL queries that are easy to implement and impactful.

Created By

Growzical
1. Use SELECT Columns Instead of SELECT *

●​ Why: Selecting all columns with SELECT * retrieves unnecessary data, increasing
query execution time and resource usage.
●​ Tip: Always specify the columns you need.

Example:​
-- Inefficient

-- Efficient

2. Leverage Indexes
●​ Why: Indexes allow the database to locate rows faster, improving query performance.
●​ Tip:
○​ Create indexes on columns frequently used in WHERE, JOIN, or ORDER BY
clauses.
○​ Avoid over-indexing, as it can slow down write operations (INSERT, UPDATE,
DELETE).
3. Filter Data Early with WHERE Clauses
●​ Why: Reducing the number of rows early in the query saves computation time.
●​ Tip: Apply WHERE conditions to filter rows before joining or grouping data.

Example:​

4. Avoid Using Functions on Indexed Columns in WHERE Clauses


●​ Why: Applying functions to indexed columns prevents the database from using the
index.
●​ Tip: Rewrite the condition to avoid applying functions directly to columns.

Example:​
-- Inefficient

-- Efficient
5. Use LIMIT for Pagination
●​ Why: Fetching only the necessary rows reduces resource consumption.
●​ Tip: Use LIMIT or equivalent to restrict the number of rows returned.

Example:​

6. Choose the Right Data Types


●​ Why: Choosing appropriate data types reduces storage and improves query speed.
●​ Tip:
○​ Use INTEGER instead of BIGINT if values don’t exceed its range.
○​ Use VARCHAR with a specific length instead of TEXT for variable-length strings.
7. Optimize JOINS
●​ Why: Poorly optimized joins can slow down queries.
●​ Tip:
○​ Use INNER JOIN when only matching rows are needed.
○​ Ensure join conditions are based on indexed columns.
○​ Avoid unnecessary joins and subqueries.

Example:

8. Avoid DISTINCT if Possible

●​ Why: Use of DISTINCT can be computationally expensive, usually with large datasets.
●​ Tip: Analyze the root cause of duplicate rows and resolve it instead of relying on
DISTINCT.

Example:​
-- Inefficient

-- Efficient
9. Use EXISTS Instead of IN for Subqueries

●​ Why: EXISTS can be faster than IN for subqueries, especially with large datasets.
●​ Tip: Use EXISTS for better performance when checking for the existence of rows.

Example:​
-- Inefficient

-- Efficient

10. Leverage UNION ALL Instead of UNION

●​ Why: UNION removes duplicates, which is an extra step that can slow queries down.
●​ Tip: Use UNION ALL if duplicates don’t need to be removed.

Example:​
-- Inefficient

-- Efficient
11. Use Proper Query Execution Order
●​ Why: Writing queries in the right order ensures logical and efficient processing.
●​ Tip:
○​ Filtering (WHERE) before grouping (GROUP BY).
○​ Grouping before sorting (ORDER BY).
○​ Sorting before limiting (LIMIT).

12. Avoid Correlated Subqueries


●​ Why: Correlated subqueries execute repeatedly for each row, increasing execution time.
●​ Tip: Replace correlated subqueries with JOINs or CTEs where possible.

Example:​
-- Inefficient

-- Efficient

13. Analyze Query Execution Plans


●​ Why: Execution plans show how the database processes queries, helping to identify
bottlenecks.
●​ Tip: Use tools like EXPLAIN or EXPLAIN ANALYZE to optimize query structure.
14. Use Aggregations Wisely

●​ Why: Aggregations like SUM, COUNT, and AVG can be resource-intensive on large
datasets.
●​ Tip: Limit the number of rows processed using filtering and grouping.

Example:​

15. Test Queries on Sample Data


●​ Why: Testing queries ensures they work correctly and efficiently before execution on
large datasets.
●​ Tip: Use small, representative datasets to validate your queries.

​
Final Takeaways for Writing Efficient Queries:

1.​ Always retrieve only the necessary data.


2.​ Optimize joins, filters, and subqueries.
3.​ Leverage indexes and proper data types.
4.​ Use query analysis tools to identify and resolve inefficiencies.
5.​ Test and refine your queries iteratively.

Efficient SQL queries not only improve performance but also demonstrate your expertise in
database optimization and management.

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