Re: Indirect indexes

On 2016-10-18 20:04:32, Claudio Freire wrote:
> You don't need that limitation (and vacuum will be simpler) if you add
the PK as another key, akin to:>> CREATE INDIRECT INDEX idx ON tab (a, b, c);>> turns into>> CREATE INDEX idx ON tab
(a,b, c, pk);
 


I know I am late to this point but I wanted to present my mere user's 
point of view.

First I liked it, as does not introduce yet another syntax to learn. 
However, after following the discussion, I see that indirect indexes 
have their disadvantages/slowdowns as well. If adding "pk" to the end of 
the column list just converts the index to an indirect index, I am 
unable to use a direct index which might be better in certain cases.

So, from a "dumb" user's point of view, I wonder if PostgreSQL can make 
the right decision of direct/indirect reliably (which would be great). 
And if not, what would be the alternatives? Introducing CREATE DIRECT INDEX?

Cheers,
Sven

PS: I mot saying I would be affected by this but IIRC we have (..., pk) 
indexes in production which then would be converted to indirect ones. 
But I cannot tell whether indirect indexes would do good or harm there.