Re: index and queries using '<' '>'

From: Martijn van Oosterhout <kleptog(at)svana(dot)org>
To: Marc Boucher <pgml(at)gmx(dot)net>
Cc: pgsql-general(at)postgresql(dot)org
Subject: Re: index and queries using '<' '>'
Date: 2004-11-18 15:23:00
Message-ID: 20041118152300.GG12826@svana.org
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The system seems to think that a scan is cheap because the table is so
small. Have you ever ANALYZEd that table? Also, EXPLAIN ANALYZE gives a
much better idea of what is going on...

On Thu, Nov 18, 2004 at 03:55:12PM +0100, Marc Boucher wrote:
> I'm using PG 7.3.4
>
> I've a table with a column of type int8 where I store date-based values,
> and an index exists for it.
> The problem is that the index is almost never used with the '>' test.
>
> # explain SELECT date FROM album WHERE (date='1093989600');
> Index Scan using date_album_key on album (cost=0.00..86.31 rows=21 width=8)
> Index Cond: (date = 1093989600::bigint)
>
> # explain SELECT date FROM album WHERE (date>'1093989600');
> Seq Scan on album (cost=0.00..907.91 rows=447 width=8)
> Filter: (date > 1093989600::bigint)
>
> # explain SELECT date FROM album WHERE (date>'1099989600');
> Index Scan using date_album_key on album (cost=0.00..323.09 rows=84 width=8)
> Index Cond: (date > 1099989600::bigint)
>
>
> It works when the query is supposed to generate low number of rows. The
> problem is that the execution time is much longer with a scan.
> How can I force the use of this index?
>
>
> --
> Marc
>
>
> ---------------------------(end of broadcast)---------------------------
> TIP 4: Don't 'kill -9' the postmaster

--
Martijn van Oosterhout <kleptog(at)svana(dot)org> http://svana.org/kleptog/
> Patent. n. Genius is 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration. A patent is a
> tool for doing 5% of the work and then sitting around waiting for someone
> else to do the other 95% so you can sue them.

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