Why Isn't Oracle Using My Index
Why Isn't Oracle Using My Index
Scenario: Oracle might choose a full table scan over an index scan if the
table is small.
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-- Create a small table
CREATE TABLE small_table (
id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,
name VARCHAR2(50)
);
Explanation: For small tables, Oracle might determine that a full table scan
is more efficient than using an index.
Scenario: If the index has low selectivity (i.e., it doesn't filter out many rows),
Oracle might skip it.
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-- Create a table with a low selectivity column
CREATE TABLE low_selectivity (
id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,
status VARCHAR2(10)
);
Explanation: Since almost all rows have the same status, the index
on status is not very selective, and Oracle might prefer a full table scan.
Scenario: If you use a function in the WHERE clause and don't have a
corresponding function-based index, Oracle might not use the index.
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-- Create a table
CREATE TABLE function_based (
id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,
name VARCHAR2(50)
);
-- Insert data
BEGIN
FOR i IN 1..1000 LOOP
INSERT INTO function_based VALUES (i, 'Name' || i);
END LOOP;
COMMIT;
END;
/
Scenario: If the data is highly skewed, Oracle might decide not to use the
index.
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-- Create a table with skewed data
CREATE TABLE skewed_data (
id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,
category VARCHAR2(10)
);
Explanation: If the data is highly skewed (e.g., most rows have category 'A'),
Oracle might decide that a full table scan is more efficient for certain queries.
Scenario: Indexes do not store NULL values, so queries searching for NULLs
won't use the index.
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-- Create a table with nullable column
CREATE TABLE nullable_column (
id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,
data VARCHAR2(50)
);
Explanation: Since the index doesn't store NULL values, Oracle will perform a
full table scan to find rows where data IS NULL.
Conversion
Scenario: Implicit type conversion in the WHERE clause can prevent Oracle
from using the index.
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-- Create a table with a VARCHAR2 column
CREATE TABLE type_conversion (
id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,
code VARCHAR2(10)
);
-- Insert data
BEGIN
FOR i IN 1..1000 LOOP
INSERT INTO type_conversion VALUES (i, TO_CHAR(i));
END LOOP;
COMMIT;
END;
/
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-- Create a table
CREATE TABLE or_condition (
id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,
col1 VARCHAR2(50),
col2 VARCHAR2(50)
);
-- Insert data
BEGIN
FOR i IN 1..1000 LOOP
INSERT INTO or_condition VALUES (i, 'Data' || i, 'Info' || i);
END LOOP;
COMMIT;
END;
/
Explanation: Oracle might not use the indexes on col1 and col2 due to the OR
condition, leading to a full table scan.
Demo 8: Index Not Used Due to CBO (Cost-Based
Optimizer) Decision
Scenario: The Cost-Based Optimizer (CBO) might decide that using the index
is not cost-effective.
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-- Create a large table
CREATE TABLE large_table (
id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,
data VARCHAR2(100)
);
-- Gather statistics
EXEC DBMS_STATS.GATHER_TABLE_STATS('YOUR_SCHEMA',
'large_table');
Explanation: The CBO might decide that a full table scan is more efficient
than using the index, especially if the table statistics indicate that a large
portion of the table would need to be scanned.
Demo 9: Index Not Used Due to Index Invisibility
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-- Create a table
CREATE TABLE invisible_index (
id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,
data VARCHAR2(50)
);
-- Insert data
BEGIN
FOR i IN 1..1000 LOOP
INSERT INTO invisible_index VALUES (i, 'Data' || i);
END LOOP;
COMMIT;
END;
/
Explanation: Since the index is invisible, Oracle won't consider it for the
query, resulting in a full table scan.
Scenario: Oracle might choose a full table scan when parallel execution is
enabled.
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-- Create a large table
CREATE TABLE parallel_table (
id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,
data VARCHAR2(100)
);
Explanation: Oracle might prefer a full table scan with parallel execution
over using the index, especially for large tables.
Conclusion
These demos illustrate various scenarios where Oracle might choose not to
use an index. The decision is often based on factors like table size, data
distribution, query structure, and database configuration. By understanding
these factors, you can better optimize your queries and indexes for
performance.
How to fix it in order to use index?
Fixing the issue to ensure Oracle uses an index depends on the specific
scenario. Below are solutions for each of the scenarios discussed earlier, along
with explanations and steps to make Oracle use the index effectively.
Issue: Oracle prefers a full table scan for small tables because it’s faster than
using an index.
Solution: If you still want Oracle to use the index (e.g., for testing or specific
use cases), you can use a hint to force index usage.
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-- Force Oracle to use the index
EXPLAIN PLAN FOR
SELECT /*+ INDEX(small_table) */ * FROM small_table WHERE id = 2;
Explanation: The /*+ INDEX(table_name) */ hint forces Oracle to use the index.
However, this is not recommended for small tables unless you have a specific
reason.
Issue: The index is not selective enough (e.g., most rows have the same
value).
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-- Drop the existing low-selectivity index
DROP INDEX idx_status;
-- Create a composite index on multiple columns
CREATE INDEX idx_status_id ON low_selectivity(status, id);
Issue: Oracle ignores the index because the query uses a function on the
indexed column.
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-- Drop the existing index
DROP INDEX idx_name;
Issue: Oracle avoids the index because the data is highly skewed.
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-- Gather statistics with histograms
EXEC DBMS_STATS.GATHER_TABLE_STATS('YOUR_SCHEMA',
'skewed_data', METHOD_OPT => 'FOR ALL COLUMNS SIZE AUTO');
Issue: Indexes do not store NULL values, so queries searching for NULLs
won't use the index.
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-- Create a function-based index to handle NULLs
CREATE INDEX idx_data_null ON nullable_column(NVL(data, 'NULL'));
Conversion
Issue: Implicit type conversion prevents Oracle from using the index.
Solution: Ensure the data types in the query match the column's data type.
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-- Query with explicit type conversion
EXPLAIN PLAN FOR
SELECT * FROM type_conversion WHERE code = '123';
Explanation: By ensuring the query uses the correct data type ( VARCHAR2 in
this case), Oracle can use the index.
Solution: Rewrite the query using UNION ALL or use a composite index.
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-- Rewrite the query using UNION ALL
EXPLAIN PLAN FOR
SELECT * FROM or_condition WHERE col1 = 'Data500'
UNION ALL
SELECT * FROM or_condition WHERE col2 = 'Info500';
Issue: The Cost-Based Optimizer (CBO) decides that using the index is not
cost-effective.
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-- Gather fresh statistics
EXEC DBMS_STATS.GATHER_TABLE_STATS('YOUR_SCHEMA',
'large_table');
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-- Make the index visible
ALTER INDEX idx_data VISIBLE;
Explanation: Making the index visible allows Oracle to consider it for query
optimization.
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-- Disable parallel execution
ALTER TABLE parallel_table NOPARALLEL;
4. Use Hints Sparingly: Use hints like /*+ INDEX */ to force index usage,
but only when necessary.
By addressing these issues, you can improve the likelihood of Oracle using
indexes effectively.