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function based index tuning

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5 views3 pages

function based index tuning

Uploaded by

muhammathrinas722
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Understanding Function-Based Indexes in Oracle: A

Simplified Guide
In this article, I’ll explain what a function-based index is, why you might want to create
one, and walk through an example to help you understand how it works.

What is a Function-Based Index?

Oracle offers different types of indexes, such as the b-tree index, which organizes data
in a hierarchical structure, and the bitmap index, which maps rows to column values
using a two-dimensional structure.

A function-based index is a type of index built not on a column’s raw value but on the
output of a function or an expression applied to the column.

Here’s the issue function-based indexes address:


When you create a standard index on a column, Oracle expects that the column is
queried without modification to use the index.

For instance, if you create a b-tree index on the sale_amount column in the sales table, the
following query will likely use the index:

WHERE sale_amount = 104.95

However, if your query modifies the column value, such as:

WHERE ROUND(sale_amount) = 105

The index won’t be used because sale_amount has been altered by the ROUND function,
making it different from its original indexed value.

To solve this, Oracle allows you to create a function-based index. This index is built
on the transformed value, ensuring the query can still leverage the index.

Why Should You Create a Function-Based Index?

The primary purpose of a function-based index is to enhance the performance of


queries that involve functions or expressions applied to a column.

If your application frequently runs queries with conditions like ROUND(column) or column *
0.2, a function-based index can significantly improve performance by allowing Oracle to
use the index instead of scanning the table.
Like any optimization strategy, the decision to create a function-based index depends
on your database workload, query patterns, and data.

Syntax for Creating a Function-Based Index

The syntax for creating a function-based index is straightforward:

CREATE INDEX index_name


ON table_name(function(column_name));

Parameters Explained:

 index_name: The name you assign to the index.


 table_name: The table on which the index is created.
 function: The function or expression applied to the column.
 column_name: The column being indexed with the function or expression.

You can use a variety of functions or expressions to define your index, including:

 ROUND(sale_amount)
 sale_amount * 0.2
 SUBSTR(first_name, 1, 10)
 first_name || ' ' || last_name

Function-based indexes work similarly to b-tree indexes but on the transformed data
rather than the raw column values.

Example of a Function-Based Index

Let’s create a function-based index for a practical scenario.

Suppose you want to optimize queries that involve the rounded value of the sale_amount
column in the sales table. You can create a function-based index as follows:

CREATE INDEX idx_sale_rndsa


ON sales(ROUND(sale_amount));

This creates an index named idx_sale_rndsa on the rounded values of the sale_amount
column.

Now, queries like the one below can use this index to improve performance:
SELECT *
FROM sales
WHERE ROUND(sale_amount) = 105;

Conclusion

A function-based index in Oracle is a powerful tool for optimizing queries that involve
functions or expressions. By indexing the transformed values, it allows you to maintain
high query performance even when your conditions modify column data.

Carefully analyze your workload to determine if a function-based index is the right


solution for your performance challenges.

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