PostgreSQL Indexing Strategies for Query Optimization

Abstract

This review paper explores PostgreSQL indexing strategies for improving database query performance and optimization. It discusses major index types, including B-tree, Hash, GIN, GiST, SP-GiST, and BRIN, along with composite, partial, expression, and covering indexes. The paper explains how query execution plans, EXPLAIN ANALYZE, database statistics, and workload measurements help guide index selection. It also examines the trade-offs between query speed, storage requirements, write performance, and index maintenance. Finally, the paper provides practical recommendations for designing, evaluating, and monitoring indexes to achieve efficient and reliable PostgreSQL database performance.