constant time count(*) ?

[Mark Harrison]

We're looking into moving some data from mysql to postgresql, and
notice that count(*) does not seem to be a constant-time function
as it seems to be in mysql.

planb=# explain select count(*) from assets;
QUERY PLAN
----------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate (cost=22.50..22.50 rows=1 width=0)
-> Seq Scan on assets (cost=0.00..20.00 rows=1000 width=0)
(2 rows)

Is there a way to optimize count(*) such that it does not have
to do a sequential scan? We use this on some big tables and it
is slowing down processing quite a lot.

Thanks!
Mark

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Mark Harrison
Pixar Animation Studios
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[Peter Eisentraut]

Mark Harrison writes:

Is there a way to optimize count(*) such that it does not have
to do a sequential scan?

No. If you need to count a lot, you need to store the information
separately.

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Peter Eisentraut pe*****@gmx.net
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[Andrew Sullivan]

On Wed, Oct 15, 2003 at 11:00:10AM -0700, Mark Harrison wrote:

Is there a way to optimize count(*) such that it does not have
to do a sequential scan? We use this on some big tables and it
is slowing down processing quite a lot.

No. There's a busload of discussion on this topic in the archives.
If you need an approximate value, you can get it from the system
tables.

A

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Andrew Sullivan 204-4141 Yonge Street
Afilias Canada Toronto, Ontario Canada
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[Tino Wildenhain]

Hi Mark,

Mark Harrison wrote:

We're looking into moving some data from mysql to postgresql, and
notice that count(*) does not seem to be a constant-time function
as it seems to be in mysql.

planb=# explain select count(*) from assets;
QUERY PLAN
----------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate (cost=22.50..22.50 rows=1 width=0)
-> Seq Scan on assets (cost=0.00..20.00 rows=1000 width=0)
(2 rows)

Is there a way to optimize count(*) such that it does not have
to do a sequential scan? We use this on some big tables and it
is slowing down processing quite a lot.

How do you need an unqualified
select count(*) on a table so often
it is making a problem?

Regards
Tino
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