> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizing-data-structure.md).

# Optimizing Data Structure

{% columns %}
{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/Cx9QoOylDAFyk2H8WIq0" %}
[Numeric vs String Fields](/docs/server/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizing-data-structure/numeric-vs-string-fields.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
Why choosing numeric over string columns, where possible, improves storage size and comparison speed.
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

{% columns %}
{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/06g3MO74caJwwgKvsO4j" %}
[Optimizing MEMORY Tables](/docs/server/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizing-data-structure/optimizing-memory-tables.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
Optimizing MEMORY-engine tables, including choosing between B-tree and hash indexes.
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

{% columns %}
{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/1qCN8vq90rUxaNvNOs0B" %}
[Optimizing String and Character Fields](/docs/server/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizing-data-structure/optimizing-string-and-character-fields.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
Optimizing string and character columns, including matching character sets and collations for faster comparisons.
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}