Why is it beneficial to avoid in-memory sorts when querying?

Avoiding in-memory sorts when querying is beneficial primarily because it speeds up query performance. In-memory sorts involve loading data into memory to rearrange the results based on the specified sorting criteria. This can be resource-intensive and time-consuming, especially with large datasets. When sorting operations are performed on disk rather than in memory, it can leverage more efficient algorithms and reduce the overhead associated with memory management.

Moreover, when you avoid in-memory sorts, you allow the database to make better use of its indexing capabilities, which can often provide sorted results without the need to sort everything in memory. This leads to quicker retrieval of the desired data, improving overall application responsiveness and efficiency.

While memory usage is also a concern, the primary advantage of avoiding in-memory sorts lies in the improvement of query performance. Efficient use of resources balances not just memory but also CPU and disk I/O, ultimately enhancing user experience and application scalability.