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SQL Queries

The document provides nine tips for optimizing SQL queries, emphasizing the importance of removing unnecessary data processing and taking advantage of indexes. Key recommendations include avoiding DISTINCT and ORDER BY in subqueries, using UNION ALL when possible, and selecting only necessary columns. Additionally, it suggests minimizing the use of OR conditions, avoiding functions in WHERE clauses, and using CTEs or subqueries to reduce JOIN cardinality.

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26 views13 pages

SQL Queries

The document provides nine tips for optimizing SQL queries, emphasizing the importance of removing unnecessary data processing and taking advantage of indexes. Key recommendations include avoiding DISTINCT and ORDER BY in subqueries, using UNION ALL when possible, and selecting only necessary columns. Additionally, it suggests minimizing the use of OR conditions, avoiding functions in WHERE clauses, and using CTEs or subqueries to reduce JOIN cardinality.

Uploaded by

gaxado4054
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Tips for

optimizing
SQL queries
like a pro

Dawn Choo
SQL is fun!

Until you have to have to wait


forever for your query to run...
Here are 9 tips for
optimizing your SQL
queries
1
Remove unnecessary
data processing:
DISTINCT
Avoid using DISTINCT when it’s not
necessary. The DISTINCT operation can be
computationally expensive, especially on
large datasets.

InterviewMaster.AI
2
Remove unnecessary
data processing:
ORDER BY
Avoid using ORDER BY until the final
SELECT statement. Your subqueries and
CTEs typically don’t need to be ordered.

InterviewMaster.AI
3
Remove unnecessary
data processing:
UNION
Use UNION ALL instead of UNION when
you’re okay with duplication of rows, or
if you know there won’t be rows
duplicated.

InterviewMaster.AI
4
Remove unnecessary
data processing:
SELECT
Instead of SELECT * , make sure to
SELECT only the specific columns that
you need.

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5
Take advantage of
indexes on your table:
WHERE
Filter on the index key where possible
to reduce the size of data processed.

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6
Take advantage of
indexes on your table:
OR
Minimize the use of OR conditions. Using
OR can lead to full table scans which
can be inefficient.

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7
Take advantage of
indexes on your table:
Avoid functions
Don’t use functions in WHERE clauses,
because it can interfere with the
indexes.

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8
Reduce cardinality of
JOINS with
CTEs & sub-queries
Use a CTE or subquery to filter and reduce
the size of your tables before JOINs.

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9
Reduce cardinality of
JOINS:
Using ON vs. WHERE
Filter conditions in the ON vs. WHERE
clause is typically more efficient.

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