Updated on 2025-05-29 GMT+08:00

Introduction to Partitioned Tables

A partitioned table is a table whose data is logically divided into partitions based on partition keys and partitioning policies. Partitioning is essentially a horizontal partitioning strategy. Partitioned tables enhance the performance, manageability, and usability of database applications, and help reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) for storing large amounts of data. Partitioning divides tables, indexes, and index-organized tables into smaller units for refined management and access.

GaussDB provides various partitioning policies and extensions to meet the requirements of different service scenarios. Partitioning policies are completely implemented by the database, and users are unaware of the implementation. Therefore, smooth migration can be performed after the partitioning policies are implemented without changing applications. This section describes GaussDB partitioned tables from the following aspects:

  • Basic concepts of partitioned tables: catalog storage and its principle.
  • Partitioning policies: basic partitioning types, as well as features, optimization, and effects of each partitioning type.