Issue: Database Scalability and Relational Query Bottlenecks (Issue: 2) #2
Description
Issue: Database Scalability and Relational Query Bottlenecks
The current database structure of Scream relies on several relational tables — users, posts, comments — all of which interact frequently. As the platform grows, the volume of relational queries (especially JOINs) increases significantly.
At present, the existing schema does not include dedicated indexes on foreign key columns. This creates a structural limitation that affects the platform's ability to scale and maintain consistent performance under load.
Why This Issue Is Significant
- The platform will struggle to process large volumes of relational queries as the user base grows.
- Rendering feeds, comment threads, and user‑specific content requires repeated JOIN operations that become progressively slower.
- Threaded comment systems depend on parent-child lookups, which degrade rapidly without optimized relational access.
- Any future additions — such as likes, views, reports, or session tracking — will multiply query volume and reinforce the bottleneck.
- In its current form, the system cannot reliably support high‑traffic environments or thousands of concurrent users.
Impact on the Project
This issue prevents Scream from reliably scaling beyond small‑scale usage. It affects:
- Feed load times
- Comment tree rendering
- Moderation tools
- Overall server response times
Without addressing these structural limitations, Scream risks becoming unstable or unresponsive as data grows, limiting further development and adoption.
Status
Open — requires architectural improvements to support long‑term scalability.