How to get maximum performance out of MySQL

MySQL parameters: How does one change the size of MySQL buffers?
Compile and link options: How compiling and linking affects the speed of MySQL
Memory use: How does MySQL use memory?
MySQL indexes: How does MySQL use keys?
Where optimisations : What kind of optimisation is done on the WHERE clause?
Table cache: How does MySQL open & close tables?
Internal locking: How does MySQL lock tables?
Table efficiency: How should I arrange my table to be as fast/small as possible?
Insert speed: What factors MySQL insert statement speeds.
Delete speed: What affects the speed of DELETE statements?
Optimise: What options to use to get MySQL to run at full speed?
Row format: What are the different row formats? Or when to use VARCHAR/CHAR?
Open tables: Why so many open tables?