December 17
If you’ve used databases for more than 10 minutes, you’ve heard the term ACID. But most explanations are either way too academic or way too vague. This guide breaks the four ACID properties down in simple, practical terms — using real examples from the Pagila database.
December 16
Ever wonder what a transaction actually does in SQL? This short guide breaks it down in plain English, with real examples and zero fluff. Perfect if you want to stop “hoping for the best” and start using transactions with confidence.
November 30
PostgreSQL offers multiple index types, each optimized for different query patterns and data shapes. Understanding which one to use is one of the highest-ROI skills in database engineering.
November 29
SQL is powerful — but even experienced developers run into subtle mistakes that affect correctness, performance, or readability. In this article, we walk through the most common SQL pitfalls using PostgreSQL and the Pagila sample database, along with practical ways to avoid them.
November 28
If you're new to PostgreSQL, the basics can feel intimidating. This guide walks you through essential tasks every beginner should know: starting and stopping PostgreSQL, finding configuration files, connecting with psql, and performing simple administrative commands.
November 26
Choosing between a JOIN and a subquery is one of the most common points of confusion for SQL developers. Both approaches let you combine data from multiple tables, and often either one will work — but the right choice can improve clarity, performance, and maintainability.
I’ve spent over 20 years optimizing databases and designing rock-solid data systems. Now I’m sharing what I’ve learned to help others build faster, smarter, and more reliable platforms.
