Learn MySQL Schema Design and Query Optimization with Eloquent
Model relationships and invariants
Identify entities, ownership, cardinality, nullable values, and uniqueness before writing migrations. Use foreign keys and constraints for rules that must remain true even if multiple application paths write to the database. Use transactions when a workflow changes related rows together.
Choose indexes from query patterns
Indexes can speed up reads but add storage and write cost. Begin with real filters, joins, and ordering, then inspect an explain plan with representative data. Composite index column order matters; do not add indexes based only on field names or intuition.
Understand Eloquent query shape
Watch for N+1 access when rendering related records. Use eager loading where appropriate and select only needed data for large lists. Check generated SQL and query counts so an optimization addresses measured behavior rather than hiding a different bottleneck.
Practice task
Model products and orders, add integrity constraints, and build an order-history query. Compare its explain plan before and after one justified index, then record both read and write trade-offs.