logo       

Re: Null values in indexes: msg#01109

Subject: Re: Null values in indexes
Jan Wieck <janwieck@xxxxxxxxx> writes:
> Tom Lane wrote:
>> Hannu Krosing <hannu@xxxxx> writes:
> How hard would it be to _not_ include nulls in indexes
> as they are not used anyway.
>> 
>> Seems to me that would be a step backwards.

>     It  would cause multi-key indexes beeing unusable for partial
>     key lookup. Imagine you have a key over (a, b, c)  and  query
>     with  WHERE  a = 1 AND b = 2. This query cannot use the index
>     if a NULL value in c  would  cause  the  index  entry  to  be
>     suppressed.

Urgh ... that means GiST indexing is actually broken, because GiST
currently handles multicolumns but not nulls.  AFAIR the planner
will try to use partial qualification on any multicolumn index...
it had better avoid doing so for non-null-capable AMs.

Alternatively, we could fix GiST to support nulls.  Oleg, Teodor:
how far away might that be?

                        regards, tom lane

---------------------------(end of broadcast)---------------------------
TIP 1: subscribe and unsubscribe commands go to majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx



<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Google Custom Search

Recently Viewed:
web.pylons.gene...    hurd.l4/2002-10...    kernel.commits....    user-groups.lin...    yellowdog.gener...    java.drools.use...    security.openva...    package-managem...    linux.debian.us...    qnx.openqnx.dev...    genealogy.gramp...    file-systems.if...    voip.wengophone...    tex.context/200...    ietf.smime/2003...    audio.csound.de...    culture.region....    xfree86.devel/2...    mobile.kannel.u...    distributed.con...    education.engli...    org.user-groups...    bug-tracking.gn...    recreation.bicy...   
Home | blog view | USPTO Patent Archive | advertise | OSDir is an inevitable website. super tiny logo

Free Magazines

Cisco News
Receive a free quarterly e-newsletter with exclusive articles on how Cisco IT uses its own products and solutions to enable the business.
subscribe

Systems Management News, the newspaper for IT systems administration and data center managers! Each issue of Systems Management News is chock-full of news and analysis to help you understand what's happening in your field.
subscribe

The Enterprise Newsweekly eWeek is the essential technology information source for builders of e-business.
subscribe

Oracle Magazine Oracle Magazine contains technology strategy articles, sample code, tips, Oracle and partner news, how to articles for developers and DBAs, and more. Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) is the world's largest enterprise software company.
subscribe

Total Telecom Total Telecom is "The Economist of the communications industry".
subscribe