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Weekly Digest #109
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Learn From Google’s Data Engineers: Don’t Optimize Your SQL
Firstly, use databases with the best query optimization.
Secondly, prioritize spend on brilliant engineers, over savings on cloud compute.
Thirdly, understand that the cost of storage is nearly free, and getting even less expensive every day.
Working long hours at a scaled company means excluding many of the key team members necessary to accomplish your goal: many of your coworkers will have young children, live in different time zones, or be balancing time across multiple projects. Working more hours in that sort of environment doesn’t accomplish much, because execution is generally blocked on input/output. A key role of executives in such organizations is that they’re able to secure high-priority input/output on their particular set of priorities (even though their prioritization inevitably causes other projects to get jammed up).
Small companies, and small teams without external dependencies, work differently. If they’re composed entirely of folks who are willing to work long hours, then you can work long hours in an effective and inclusive way. If they’re all in on working asynchronously and remotely, then some individuals can work long, effective hours and…
