Re: Automatic Index Creation for Column Types

On 08/19/2013 09:10 AM, Charles Sheridan wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I don't see indication that the capability described below exists in
> Postgres (or any RDBMS), so this is likely a feature request --
>
> For column types that are frequently defined in tables, and which are
> typically indexed, it would be helpful to be able to specify in the type
> definition of the column that its addition/creation into a table should
> be automatically accompanied by the creation of an associated index.
>
> Auto-index generation for a specific column type would be overridable
> for specific tables, as you wouldn't always want to auto-create an index
> at the time of column addition to a table. In the case of CREATE TABLE,
> this would be less of a concern, and more of a concern for ALTER TABLE
> ADD COLUMN.
>
> Such a configuration would also specify the type of index.
>
> What do you think ?
>
>
>

I think it's a bad idea. Indexes are not free and it would be a huge and
unwarranted assumption that they are wanted just because some column
type is used. If you want indexes it's up to you to create them. The
only exception is when they are created as an implementation artifact
for a table constraint, but even then you have to express the
constraint, it's not just assumed.

cheers

andrew