How can developers optimize SQL queries in PHP to improve performance, especially when dealing with multiple table joins?

To optimize SQL queries in PHP, especially when dealing with multiple table joins, developers can use techniques such as indexing columns used in joins, avoiding unnecessary columns in the SELECT statement, and using WHERE clauses effectively to filter data before joining tables.

// Example of optimizing SQL query with multiple table joins
$query = "SELECT t1.column1, t2.column2 FROM table1 t1
          JOIN table2 t2 ON t1.id = t2.id
          WHERE t1.column3 = 'value'";

// Add indexes to columns used in joins
// ALTER TABLE table1 ADD INDEX idx_column1 (column1);
// ALTER TABLE table2 ADD INDEX idx_column2 (column2);

// Avoid selecting unnecessary columns
// $query = "SELECT t1.column1 FROM table1 t1
//           JOIN table2 t2 ON t1.id = t2.id
//           WHERE t1.column3 = 'value'";

// Use WHERE clause to filter data before joining tables
// $query = "SELECT t1.column1, t2.column2 FROM table1 t1
//           JOIN table2 t2 ON t1.id = t2.id
//           WHERE t1.column3 = 'value' AND t2.column4 = 'value'";