Overview

Database optimization in Ruby centers around three main areas: reducing database query overhead, managing database connections efficiently, and implementing strategic caching. Ruby applications typically interact with databases through Object-Relational Mapping libraries like ActiveRecord, Sequel, or DataMapper, each providing optimization features and patterns.

Query optimization focuses on eliminating redundant database calls, structuring efficient SQL queries, and implementing proper database indexing strategies. Connection management involves configuring connection pools to handle concurrent requests while minimizing resource consumption. Caching strategies reduce database load by storing frequently accessed data in memory or distributed cache systems.

# Query optimization with eager loading
posts = Post.includes(:author, :comments).published.recent

# Connection pool configuration
ActiveRecord::Base.establish_connection(
  adapter: 'postgresql',
  pool: 15,
  checkout_timeout: 5
)

# Result caching with expiration
def popular_articles
  Rails.cache.fetch('popular_articles', expires_in: 30.minutes) do
    Article.where('views > ?', 1000).order(views: :desc).limit(10)
  end
end

Ruby database optimization requires understanding the underlying SQL generation, monitoring query performance, and implementing caching at appropriate application layers. Different Ruby database libraries provide varying optimization capabilities, with ActiveRecord offering extensive query optimization features for Rails applications.

Basic Usage

Basic database optimization in Ruby starts with identifying and eliminating N+1 queries, which occur when applications execute separate database queries for each record in a collection. ActiveRecord provides several