Database Performance Patterns

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Designing data access layers
• Optimizing slow database queries
• Choosing between EF Core and Dapper
• Avoiding common performance pitfalls

Core Principles

1. Separate read and write models - Don't use the same types for both
2. Think in batches - Avoid N+1 queries
3. Only retrieve what you need - No SELECT *
4. Apply row limits - Always have a configurable Take/Limit
5. Do joins in SQL - Never in application code