Re: Index clustering factor

Jayaraman Ashok wrote:
>
> Hi
> Can somebody please explain in a lucid manner, what clustering_factor
> means in dba_indexes? I have read that if the value is nearer to the
> number of blocks occupied (or is it allocated?) by the table, it means
> the data in the table is very well ordered and if the value is nearer
> to the number of rows in the table then the data is scattered. Does it
> mean that the clustering_factor is something like a pointer? A pointer
> for each block if data is proper in the table and a pointer for each
> row when data becomes scattered. If the table is going to grow at a
> decent rate then won't the clustering_factor again go for a toss after
> reorganization? Also should the reorganization of the table always be
> based on the most used index for that table , for the exercise to be
> effective? Finally, is it worth paying attention to this aspect?
>
> Cheers,
> Ashok

The other post sums it up nicely, but in its most simplistic sense

table data is stored in random order, index data is stored in key order. The clustering factor measures the closeness of the two orders

hth
connor

-- 
==============================
Connor McDonald

http://www.oracledba.co.uk

"Some days you're the pigeon, some days you're the statue..."