RE: Index time columns?

[Andrew Braithwaite]

Hi,

If you have that date column in your where clause for example:

SELECT ...... FROM ..... WHERE tstamp > NOW() - INTERVAL 1 WEEK;

Then it's essential to index that column to speed up a table with lots of data.

On a table with many rows, an index on a timestamp column is invaluable.  However, I should point out that having an index on a column does add a small performance overhead to inserts and updates so if you're not going to use it in your where clauses then there's not much point in adding it.

Cheers,

Andrew

-----Original Message-----
From: Cantwell, Bryan [mailto:bcantwell@stripped] 
Sent: 24 April 2009 22:56
To: mysql@stripped
Subject: Index time columns?

I have a debate with someone about indexes on time columns.
So I ask the community, should you put an index on a timestamp column of a table? 
Thanks...