Databases

Databases are the heartbeat of modern applications, and Iain White has been keeping them healthy since the days of dial‑up internet. He has tuned databases for multinational retailers and cleaned up messy schemas for nimble start‑ups. He recalls a time he spent a weekend chasing a performance issue only to find a single comma in a SQL script causing havoc. That story has become one of his favourites because it illustrates how tiny details can have big consequences. His passion for data comes from seeing the power of information when it’s organised well and the frustration when it’s not.
 
Here you’ll find articles that demystify the world of data management. Iain writes about performance tuning, data modelling, backup strategies and cloud migrations. He explains why normalization matters and when it’s okay to break the rules. His posts often include practical tips, such as how to set up replication without losing sleep or how to design a schema that won’t fall apart when the business grows. He also touches on governance, privacy and compliance, recognising that data isn’t just technical; it’s also ethical and legal. His advice blends technical detail with real‑world anecdotes, making it relatable and engaging.
 
Readers of this category will quickly see why Iain is trusted to rescue failing databases and design systems that scale. He combines deep technical knowledge with a focus on what the business needs from its data. His writing encourages you to think critically about your own databases: Are they performing as well as they could? Are you prepared for an outage? Are you making the most of your data to inform decisions? By following his guidance, you’ll gain confidence and insight that will make your data work for you, not against you.