Alvaro Herrera wrote: > On Mon, Sep 12, 2005 at 09:43:57AM -0400, Reid Thompson wrote: >> Example: >> assume a table of 10 columns, three of which are fname, lname, and >> dob. If an index is created on (fname, lname, dob), will a query that >> utilizes two of the columns ( select 'data' from table where fname = >> 'X' and lname = 'Y') utilize the index? > > Yes, if it is selective enough. (It _can_ use the index, > which does not mean that it _will_ use it.) Note that if > your example query used the columns (lname, dob), the answer would be > "no." > Why is that? In order to use an index, does the query have to utilize the 'first' element of the index? reid ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 3: Have you checked our extensive FAQ? http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faq