Bruce Momjian wrote:
I can do 100! on my computer, but can't do it in my head.
A poor example. 100! is a simple repetative calculation, something computers
are very good at. Optimizing an SQL query is very difficult, and a completely
different class of problem.
The fact is the PG team has done a remarkable job with the optimizer so far.
I'm usually very happy with its plans. But humans still beat computers at many
tasks, and there are unquestionably areas where the PG optimizer is not yet
fully developed.
When the optimizer reaches its limits, and you have to get your web site
running, a HINT can be invaluable.
I said something in a previous version of this topic, which I'll repeat here.
The PG documentation for HINTs should be FILLED with STRONG ADMONITIONS to post
the problematic queries here before resorting to hints.
There will always be fools who abuse hints. Too bad for them, but don't make
the rest of us suffer for their folly.
Craig
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