IOTs - different types available

Hi,

The 817 SQL Reference guide under the analyze table section seems to imply that an IOT can be based on either a "primary key" or on a "universal rowid".

That is, it states the following:
"Note: If you are analyzing index-organized tables based on primary keys
(rather than universal rowids), you must create a separate chained-rows
table for each index-organized table to accommodate its primary-key storage. Use the SQL scripts DBMSIOTC.SQL and PRVTIOTC.PLB to define the BUILD_CHAIN_ROWS_TABLE procedure, and then execute this procedure to create an IOT_CHAINED_ROWS table for each such index-organized table. "

However, under the create table command, it states "Note: You must specify a primary key for an index-organized table, because the primary key uniquely identifies a row. The primary key cannot be DEFERRABLE. Use the primary key instead of the rowid for directly accessing index-organized rows."

So my questions:
* Can an IOT can be based on either a "primary key" or on a "universal rowid"?
* If so, how do you specify which it is based on? * Also, assuming an IOT can be of either kind, which data dictionary object
(or other sys table / view) will tell you what type your IOT is?

I know that dba_tables has IOT_TYPE in it, but the reference manual says "If this is an index organized table, then IOT_TYPE is IOT or IOT_OVERFLOW. If this is not an index organized table, then IOT_TYPE is NULL " whereas our IOT actually has "IOT - TOP" as its value.

If relevant, I am using 8.1.7.1.4 on NT 4.

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bruce Reardon
mailto:bruce.reardon_at_comalco.riotinto.com.au

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