With all of the database offerings out there, one of the most paired (that I've seen) with PHP has been MySQL. Loads of sites use it - everything from a simple CMS background to running financial data/user data for a large company. With all of this power floating around out there, there are some that just aren't sure how to really harness it. They know there's something they can do to optimize their MySQL instllation, but aren't sure what. That's where these two articles come in from DevShed - MySQL Optimization.

In part one, they cover how to use the MySQL benchamrk suite, more information about the EXPLAIN syntax, making query preformance estimations, speeding up INSERTS, and more. There is tons of data here as they step you through all of the information on each topic.

In part two of the series, they take a different look at the optimization - working from the outside in. Suggestions in this article include optimized database structure, using key caches, tuning the server parameters, and more detailed information on how MySQL uses memory.

These articles are excerpts from the Sams book MySQL Administrator's Guide.