Master Single vs Bulk INSERT: Single INSERT adds 1 row (slow for many rows), bulk INSERT adds multiple rows in 1 statement (10-100x faster), use VALUES with multiple tuples

Learn INSERT...SELECT Pattern: Copy data from one table to another, use for ETL/migrations/archiving, combine with WHERE for filtering, 100x faster than row-by-row

Understand RETURNING/OUTPUT Clauses: PostgreSQL RETURNING returns inserted data (no extra SELECT), SQL Server OUTPUT captures inserted rows, MySQL LAST_INSERT_ID() for auto-increment

Master Bulk Loading Tools: PostgreSQL COPY (fastest, 10-100x faster than INSERT), MySQL LOAD DATA INFILE (fast bulk load), SQL Server BULK INSERT (high-speed import)

Learn INSERT Performance: Bulk inserts 10-100x faster than loops, disable indexes during large loads (rebuild after), use transactions to batch commits, avoid triggers during bulk loads

Understand INSERT Patterns: INSERT...ON CONFLICT (upsert), INSERT with DEFAULT values, INSERT with subqueries, multi-table inserts (Oracle), INSERT with CTEs

Master Single vs Bulk INSERT: Single INSERT adds 1 row (slow for many rows), bulk INSERT adds multiple rows in 1 statement (10-100x faster), use VALUES with multiple tuples

Learn INSERT...SELECT Pattern: Copy data from one table to another, use for ETL/migrations/archiving, combine with WHERE for filtering, 100x faster than row-by-row

Understand RETURNING/OUTPUT Clauses: PostgreSQL RETURNING returns inserted data (no extra SELECT), SQL Server OUTPUT captures inserted rows, MySQL LAST_INSERT_ID() for auto-increment

Master Bulk Loading Tools: PostgreSQL COPY (fastest, 10-100x faster than INSERT), MySQL LOAD DATA INFILE (fast bulk load), SQL Server BULK INSERT (high-speed import)

Learn INSERT Performance: Bulk inserts 10-100x faster than loops, disable indexes during large loads (rebuild after), use transactions to batch commits, avoid triggers during bulk loads

Understand INSERT Patterns: INSERT...ON CONFLICT (upsert), INSERT with DEFAULT values, INSERT with subqueries, multi-table inserts (Oracle), INSERT with CTEs