Generic B-tree operator class

The built-in secondary-access method, the generic B-tree, has a single operator class defined in the sysopclasses system catalog table. This operator class, called btree_ops, is the default operator class for the btree secondary-access method.

The database server uses the btree_ops operator class to specify:
  • The strategy functions to tell the optimizer which filters in a query can use a B-tree index
  • The support function to build and search the B-tree index

The CREATE INDEX statement in Generic B-tree index shows how to create a B-tree index whose column uses the btree_ops operator class. This CREATE INDEX statement does not need to specify the btree_ops operator class because btree_ops is the default operator class for the btree access method.

For more information about the btree secondary-access method, see Generic B-tree index.