Modern tech stacks require developers to manage multiple components of their application, including frontend UI, orchestration, APIs, and databases. As data intensity increases, these components become more complex, but solving the database problem is often a long-term solution for scaling. SingleStoreDB Universal Storage requires careful consideration of shard keys and sort keys to optimize query performance. Choosing the wrong shard key can lead to unbalanced partitions, while missing a sort key can leave tables unorganized and hard to scan. Additionally, mismatched data types across tables can negatively impact query results and performance. By understanding these concepts and avoiding common mistakes, developers can ensure their SingleStoreDB applications perform optimally.