Database optimization : An investigation of code-based optimization techniques

Abstract: In this report database optimization is investigated with a focus on the area which can be implemented with software rather than hardware.The reason for this specialization is that software optimization is an area that all developers have the resources to implement.To investigate these optimization techniques I have first presented the theory behind different optimization techniques including indices, caching and materialized views. A brief explanation on how these techniques can be implemented in MySQL and PHP is then given. With the help of these theories a set of tests have been designed to see how the different optimization techniques react to different types of queries and datasizes. The results of these tests are then presented with a discussion on how these results coincide with the theories presented and how they can be used to benefit a specific system.