Why Standardized SQL Formatting Improves MySQL Optimizer Efficiency

While MySQL's SQL parser can execute minified, single-line queries, human maintainability and query plan debugging require strict visual formatting. Proper indentation clarifies table cardinality in complex subqueries, highlights missing index predicates in WHERE clauses, and prevents accidental Cartesian products in unindexed JOIN operations.

Furthermore, formatting queries consistently ensures predictable query digest hashing in MySQL Performance Schema (events_statements_summary_by_digest), allowing database administrators to aggregate slow queries accurately without hash fragmentation caused by inconsistent whitespace.