You should always explicitly specify a primary index, a primary AMP index, or explicitly specify no primary index for your tables. If you don’t, a default is used which might not be appropriate for the object.
Teradata Database never creates a partitioned PI or NoPI by default and never creates a PA by default
Use the PrimaryIndexDefault field in DBS Control to determine whether Teradata Database automatically creates a table with a PI or NoPI if the table is created without the PRIMARY INDEX, PRIMARY AMP INDEX, and NO PRIMARY INDEX clause. For more information on the PrimaryIndexDefault field, see Teradata Vantage™ - Database Utilities , B035-1102 .
Problematic Selection of a Primary [AMP] Index Column Set
- Specify NO PRIMARY INDEX when you create the table.
You can load rows into a NoPI table while you continue to determine an appropriate PI or PA. Such a table is sometimes referred to as a sandbox or staging table.
- Use an identity column as the PI for the table (see Surrogate Keys).