PHP Performance: OPcache, N+1 Queries, and Practical Fixes

Performance problems usually come from:

• too many DB queries
• heavy loops + slow functions
• no caching
• no OPcache

OPcache (big win)

OPcache stores compiled PHP bytecode in memory, so PHP does not re-compile every request.

Most hosting providers enable OPcache automatically, but it's worth confirming.

N+1 query problem (classic)

Bad:

• fetch 50 posts
• for each post fetch its author (50 more queries)

Fix:

• join authors in one query
• or fetch all authors in one query and map them

Quick rule

The database should do database work. Your PHP should not do 1000 small queries when 1 query can do it.

Next: Webhooks, accept callbacks from Stripe, PayPal, or other services safely.