title: SQL: multiple queries vs joins (specific case)
body: <p>This question seems to have been asked a lot and the answer seems to be "it depends on the details". so I am asking for my specific case:  Is it better for me to have multiple queries or use joins?</p>
  
  <p>The details are as follows:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>"products" table -- probably around 2000 rows, 15 or so columns</li>
  <li>"tags" table -- probably around 10 rows, 3 columns</li>
  <li>"types" table -- probably around 10 rows, 3 columns</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>I need the "tags" and "types" table to get the tag/type-id that is in the product table.</p>
  
  <p>My gut says that if i join the tables i end up searching a much much larger set so its better to do multiple queries, but i am not really sure...  </p>
  
  <p>Thoughts?</p>