Databases

Everything written here on Databases, newest first. These are build notes from real client work: what shipped, what broke, and what it cost to fix.

JSONB Columns: When They Save You, When They Trap You

JSONB columns are useful until they aren't. Here's a practical breakdown of when to reach for them, when they'll hurt you, and how to avoid the common traps.

2026-10-106 min read

Partial and Composite Indexes: The Ordering Rule That Kills Slow Queries

Get composite and partial index ordering wrong and your query planner ignores the index entirely. Here is the rule, with concrete examples.

2026-09-187 min read

Reading an EXPLAIN Plan Without Guessing

Most slow-query fixes are guesses dressed up as diagnoses. Here is how to actually read an EXPLAIN plan and know what it is telling you.

2026-09-076 min read