In GiST, for each new data type we support we're expected to provide (among other things) a function to determine whether a query is consistent with a particular index entry (given an operator/ strategy). I haven't been able to figure out when the query value being passed (arg 1 in the <datatype>_consistent function) is the actual value (say the value "6"), or a pointer to the value. In the btree_gist contrib examples, I see both cases (int4, a value; text, a pointer). Does anyone know how to tell when when the gist consistent function should expect a pointer or a value (apparently this is setup in the scankey in a generic fashion before getting into the index- specific implementation but can't tell how exactly)? Does this depend on the storage clause in CREATE TYPE?
Also, a broader question. GiST is setup to evaluate each column in the index in the order it was specified (e.g. if the index has colX, colY, then if colX satisfies the search, colX is checked, otherwise colY is ignored)...as in traditional btree indexes. I would like to set up a multi-dimensional index that doesn't require all data to be contained in a single column (like an rtree index where the X and Y coordinates would be in different columns rather than a single composite column). I have taken the approach of hacking some of the GiST code to do this (basically, my code looks at each itup on a page and evaluates on multiple columns at once, depending on strategy and according to my algorithm). This bypasses some of the existing GiST code but takes advantage of a lot of it (recovery features, etc.), but it's a reluctant and probably temporary hack. So my question....is this type of initiative already in the works in some project out there? Hate to duplicate effort. GiST takes you a long way but not quite all the way for these types of scenarios. Thanks Eric ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 1: if posting/reading through Usenet, please send an appropriate subscribe-nomail command to [EMAIL PROTECTED] so that your message can get through to the mailing list cleanly