ClickHouse Over the Years with Benchmarks

Ilya Yatsishin
18 min readbeginner
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Overview

The article discusses the rapid development of ClickHouse, highlighting its performance improvements and new features over the years. It includes benchmarks comparing various versions of ClickHouse, particularly focusing on the Star Schema Benchmark and the Brown University Benchmark.

What You'll Learn

1

How to run benchmarks on different versions of ClickHouse

2

Why performance testing is crucial for database optimization

3

How to install and configure older versions of ClickHouse

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Basic understanding of database management systems
  • Familiarity with command line operations and package management(optional)

Key Questions Answered

How has ClickHouse's performance changed over the years?
The article provides benchmarks showing that ClickHouse is 28% faster than the version from 2018. It highlights performance improvements across various versions, indicating that newer versions generally outperform older ones.
What is the Star Schema Benchmark and its relevance to ClickHouse?
The Star Schema Benchmark is a tool used to evaluate the performance of database systems. The article mentions its limitations, such as unrealistic random value distribution, but acknowledges its utility in comparing ClickHouse's performance over time.
What steps are involved in importing datasets to older versions of ClickHouse?
To import datasets, one must create compatible table schemas, adjust for unsupported features in older versions, and use CSV format for data import. The article outlines specific commands and adjustments needed for successful data import.

Key Statistics & Figures

Performance improvement
28%
ClickHouse is reported to be 28% faster than the version from 2018.
Number of ClickHouse versions available
328
The repository has 328 versions of ClickHouse available for installation.
Size of generated dataset for Star Schema Benchmark
100 GB
The dataset generated for the benchmark is approximately 100 GB of raw data.

Technologies & Tools

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Database
Clickhouse
Used for analytical data reporting and performance benchmarking.
Operating System
Ubuntu
The environment used for installing and testing ClickHouse.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Regularly benchmark your database performance after each release to identify areas for improvement.
This practice helps maintain optimal performance and allows for timely enhancements based on real-world usage scenarios.
2
Consider using the most recent version of ClickHouse for production environments to take advantage of performance optimizations.
Newer versions often include critical updates and features that can significantly enhance database efficiency and capabilities.
3
Utilize the ClickHouse community resources for troubleshooting and performance testing.
Engaging with community forums and documentation can provide valuable insights and solutions to common issues encountered during implementation.

Common Pitfalls

1
Relying on outdated benchmark reports without conducting new tests.
Performance metrics can change rapidly with new releases, making old reports potentially misleading.
2
Failing to adapt data import processes for older versions of ClickHouse.
Older versions may lack support for certain features, requiring adjustments to data formats and table schemas.

Related Concepts

Performance Testing Methodologies
Database Version Management
Benchmarking Tools And Techniques