Re: Slow IN query

"Eric Jain" <Eric(dot)Jain(at)isb-sib(dot)ch> writes:
> explain select * from statements
> where model_ns='4' and model in ('P42655', 'Q9XFM4')
> order by id;

This works reasonably well in CVS tip, but in 7.4 and earlier the
planner will not figure out that a multi-column index can be used unless
the OR condition is on the *first* column of the index. Try flipping
the order of your index columns.

Stupid example in 7.4.2:

regression=# create table statements (model_ns smallint, model text,
regression(# unique(model_ns,model));
NOTICE: CREATE TABLE / UNIQUE will create implicit index "statements_model_ns_key" for table "statements"
CREATE TABLE
regression=# explain select * from statements where model_ns='4' and model in ('P42655', 'Q9XFM4');
QUERY PLAN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Index Scan using statements_model_ns_key on statements (cost=0.00..17.09 rows=1 width=34)
Index Cond: (model_ns = 4::smallint)
Filter: ((model = 'P42655'::text) OR (model = 'Q9XFM4'::text))
(3 rows)

regression=# drop table statements;
DROP TABLE
regression=# create table statements (model_ns smallint, model text,
regression(# unique(model,model_ns));
NOTICE: CREATE TABLE / UNIQUE will create implicit index "statements_model_key" for table "statements"
CREATE TABLE
regression=# explain select * from statements where model_ns='4' and model in ('P42655', 'Q9XFM4');
QUERY PLAN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Index Scan using statements_model_key, statements_model_key on statements (cost=0.00..9.66 rows=1 width=34)
Index Cond: (((model = 'P42655'::text) AND (model_ns = 4::smallint)) OR ((model = 'Q9XFM4'::text) AND (model_ns = 4::smallint)))
Filter: ((model_ns = 4::smallint) AND ((model = 'P42655'::text) OR (model = 'Q9XFM4'::text)))
(3 rows)

Development tip, however, is able to produce the latter plan in both
cases.

In your test case, I would imagine that the condition on model_ns alone
is being judged too unselective to make an index scan worthwhile.

regards, tom lane