Understand the Abstraction
Learn how the ORM maps database tables to objects (Active Record vs. Data Mapper). Read its core concepts: model definition, relationships, querying, transactions.
Ignore Sugar Initially
Avoid shortcuts, decorators, and magic methods at first. Manually define fields, types, and constraints. Explicit over implicit.
Control the Query Layer
Use logging or query inspection tools to view generated SQL. Validate against expectations. Know how to bypass ORM and run raw SQL when needed.
Handle Relationships Manually First
Define foreign keys and join conditions yourself before relying on association helpers. Understand cascading behavior and lazy vs. eager loading.
Batch and Lazy Load Intelligently
Profile and reduce N+1 queries. Know how to prefetch or batch load when needed. Learn the ORM's method for controlling load strategies.
Test with Real Data Shapes
Validate against edge cases, empty sets, nested relations, and massive rows. Check transaction behavior and rollback.
Avoid Over-Reliance on Migrations
Track schema changes directly. Know when to bypass migration tools and write SQL. ORM migration layers often lag or make dangerous assumptions.
Handle Sessions/Connections Properly
Know how the ORM manages sessions, pools, and commits. Explicitly handle lifecycles in request/response or batch processing contexts.
Keep Business Logic Outside Models
Treat models as data access layers. Encapsulate logic in service layers or domain logic, not inside ORM entity methods.
Benchmark Before Shipping
Profile ORM performance vs. direct SQL for key paths. Optimize joins, subqueries, indexing. ORM adds overhead — know its cost.
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