To improve performance, what should database applications do according to SAP HANA guidelines?

Optimizing data-intensive calculations in the database is aligned with SAP HANA's design principles. With HANA's in-memory computing capabilities, calculations performed directly within the database utilize the high-speed processing power and efficiency of the HANA platform, which minimizes data transfer times to external applications. This approach not only accelerates performance but also leverages HANA's ability to process large volumes of data swiftly and efficiently. By keeping data-intensive calculations close to where the data resides—in the database—applications can achieve significant improvements in speed and performance.

Focusing on optimizing calculations within the database helps reduce the overhead associated with data movement, which is crucial in a high-performance environment. In contrast, the other options involve practices that may not harness the full capabilities of SAP HANA, such as relying heavily on external applications or specialized services that could diminish performance.