In the previous two chapters, we covered optimizations at the query level, at the server level, and a bit at the data structure level. Once initial optimization and checks are carried out in the development or test environment, the next step is to prepare the production environment. Installation of database software and configuration of parameters can be done in a manner similar to how it was done in the development environment with the possibility that the production server has a higher configuration; we may be able to provide a bit more memory to the database.

Another important step in preparing the production environment is the creation of databases, users and roles, and population of master data. There are various ways of doing it. We will cover a couple of utilities that can be used to carry out these activities.