Database Performance Management

What does the term database performance management mean? The primary purpose of a database is to supply information to its users and the rate at which this information is provided is considered the database performance. Thus, maximizing the rate at which the database supplies information to its users is considered database performance management.

Unfortunately, due to time constraints the database administrator (DBA) usually handles the task of database performance management as a reactive one as opposed to a proactive one. No matter how well developed a system is it will eventually experience slow downs. However, there are several preventative measures the DBA can take to get the best out of the database.

Creating Indexes

The first thing to do is try creating indexes for data fields that are used rather often in the selection criteria for queries, sorts, or table joins. Secondly optimize your queries. Finally, the DBA and the developer should make it a point to always strive to construct robust SQL queries.

In conclusion, when designing and optimizing the performance of the database, it is very important to take some time to consider how the data will be returned. The fewer rows being returned by the query the more useful an index will be. On the other hand, a full table scan is much more appropriate for when more data records will be reviewed and retrieved.