Re: [HACKERS] LIKE, ~ indexing documentation - Mailing list pgsql-hackers

From Bruce Momjian
Subject Re: [HACKERS] LIKE, ~ indexing documentation
Date
Msg-id 199803022140.QAA10640@candle.pha.pa.us
Whole thread Raw
In response to LIKE, ~ indexing documentation  (Marc Howard Zuckman <marc@fallon.classyad.com>)
List pgsql-hackers
>
> In a reply to Bruce, I suggested that the create_index man page
> might be updated to mention the possible use of indices with
> the LIKE, ~, and ~* operators.  I thought that the query used
> to generated the table in the man page might be automatically
> updated and thus done for 6.3, but probably not since the
> matched string expression needs to be anchored.  Mention
> of the possible use of indices in this circumstance might still be
> included in create_index man page and possibly in the explain man page.
>
> Probably the best place to put it would be in a tips section of the
> user manual.  The tips section might include stuff like:
>     a) running vacuum to optimize query plan
>     b) when to use char/varchar/text
>     c) using joins vs subselects
>
> Suggestions are cheap, implementation takes work.  I'm very appreciative
> of all that you have already done.

Actually, the missing use of indexes for LIKE was a deficiency, not a
real special feature.  Everyone expected it to work and it didn't until
now.  Also, all commercial databases do this, but no special mention is
made if it in their manuals, that I have seen.  Perhaps we can added it
to the FAQ if people start asking about it more often.

--
Bruce Momjian                          |  830 Blythe Avenue
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  +  If your life is a hard drive,     |  (610) 353-9879(w)
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