Get startedGet started for free

Finding the database indexes

One aspect of writing well-performing queries is using the database optimization properties. When working in row-oriented databases, you want to limit the number of records returned. If partitions and indexes exist, you should use them in your queries as filters. Ideally, you could reference a database diagram or ask your friendly database administrator (DBA) which tables and columns have indexes.

However, sometimes documentation is missing, and DBAs are busy. Luckily, the pg_tables schema has views that show all the existing indexes.

This exercise is part of the course

Improving Query Performance in PostgreSQL

View Course

Exercise instructions

  • Choose metadata from the pg_indexes view.
  • Select tablename and indexname to see the indexes in each table.

Hands-on interactive exercise

Have a go at this exercise by completing this sample code.

SELECT ___
 , ___
FROM ___;
Edit and Run Code