Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
Runtime environments can significantly impact the performance of your data-
base applications. For Java applications, the runtime environment is a Java
Virtual Machine (JVM). For ADO.NET applications, the runtime environment is
the .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR).
JVMs
For Java, you have JVM choices. IBM, Sun Microsystems, and BEA (Oracle)
develop JVMs. Differences exist in the way these JVMs are implemented, which
can affect performance. The configuration of your JVM can also affect perfor-
mance. See “Runtime Environment (Java and .NET),” page 77, for examples of
how JVMs affect performance.
If you are running a Java application and you have exhausted other options
for improving performance, consider benchmarking your application with a dif-
ferent JVM.
.NET CLR
Unlike JVMs, you do not have a choice when it comes to the vendor for the .NET
CLR. Microsoft is the sole vendor. For important tips when running an
ADO.NET application, see “Runtime Environment (Java and .NET),” page 77.
If you are seeing a decrease in performance after changing either the client or
server to a different operating system, you may have to live with it. We are not
saying that one operating system is better than another; we are saying that you
need to be aware that any operating system change can increase or decrease per-
formance. See “Operating System,” page 83, for a discussion of why.
We have said many times that database application performance improves when
communication between the database driver and the database is optimized. Here
are key techniques for ensuring the best performance over the network:
•
Reducing network round trips, which increases response time
•
Tuning the size of database protocol packets, which increases response time
and throughput
