Does PostgreSQL btree_gin extension use btree or gin data structure?

Question

In order to define a GIN index on an array and scalar field (for example) you need to enable the btree_gin extension in PostgreSQL. Then you can define your indexes as a GIN index.

However I don't understand if, under the hood, PostgreSQL is using a btree structure or a GIN structure.

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Jan 16 '20 at 22:09

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Both. GIN indexes internally make use of a btree data structure. It is not identical to the btree data structure used in a proper BTREE index, but they share the same principles.

answered Jan 16 '20 at 22:09

jjanes

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score 0 · Answer 2 · edited Jan 16 '20 at 17:56

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The resulting index is a true blood GIN index. These operator classes are not installed by default because they are rarely needed.

A single-column GIN index on a column of scalar type would be inferior to a B-tree index in almost every way.

edited Jan 16 '20 at 17:56

answered Jan 16 '20 at 17:22

Laurenz Albe

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Does PostgreSQL btree_gin extension use btree or gin data structure?

2 Answers2