Choose a Primary Index | Teradata Vantage - Choosing a Primary Index - Analytics Database - Teradata Vantage

Database Administration

Deployment
VantageCloud
VantageCore
Edition
Enterprise
IntelliFlex
VMware
Product
Analytics Database
Teradata Vantage
Release Number
17.20
Published
June 2022
ft:locale
en-US
ft:lastEdition
2024-10-04
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ujp1472240543947
lifecycle
latest
Product Category
Teradata Vantageā„¢

Defining the primary index (PI) for a table is the most critical aspect of table design.

The system uses the PI to assign each data row to an Access Module Processor (AMP). A well chosen PI balances the distribution across AMPs and helps optimize the performance of queries that access the table. PIs also enable efficient joins and aggregations.

A query does not use a PI for access unless all columns in the index are in an equality predicate or an IN LIST.

After you identify the PI requirements for a table, you specify the PI as part of the CREATE TABLE statement.