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How to work with database Partitions

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Partitioning is a database design technique when data is split across multiple tables or databases but is logically still one table. This technique is proper when dealing with large tables, as it can improve query performance, manageability, and availability.

Note: Not all databases support partitioning, and the level of support and specific functionalities may vary among those that do. Always refer to your specific DBMS documentation to understand the partitioning capabilities it offers.

Creating Partitions

1) The first step to creating Partitions is to create a table. Consider a table with the following columns:

orderid int4,
customerid int4,
orderdate date,
year int4

2) Next, go to the Properties tab, and find the Partition by field. Here, you need to specify the Partition criteria. For instance, to Partition the data based on the year column, you can use RANGE (year).

3) Navigate to the Partitions in tabbed Editors. Right-click and select Create New Partition. This action will open a new Partition table window.

4) In the new window, specify the Partition Expression. This expression defines the boundaries for the Partition. For example, to create a Partition for the years 2023 and 2024, you can use FOR VALUES FROM (2023) TO (2024).

Creating Partitions using SQL Editor

You can also create a Partition by using SQL statements. The specific SQL command may vary slightly depending on the type of your database.

1) Here's an example of how to create a partitioned table orders based on a range of Partition on the year column using PostgreSQL syntax:

CREATE TABLE orders (
    orderid int NOT NULL,
    customerid int NOT NULL,
    orderdate date NOT NULL,
    "year" int NOT NULL
) PARTITION BY RANGE ("year");

Note: The example provided above uses PostgreSQL syntax for partitioning. For other databases, such as Oracle, MySQL, or SQL Server, it is necessary to use the syntax that corresponds to the specific database system.

2) Next, you would create Partitions within this table. For instance, if you want to create a Partition for the year 2023:

CREATE TABLE orders_2023 PARTITION OF orders FOR VALUES FROM (2023) TO (2024);

Saving changes

Once you have configured the Partition properties, saving these changes to the database is essential. Until you commit your modifications, the new Partition will only exist within DBeaver and will not be added to the actual database table. Here are three options for committing the changes:

  • Click on File -> Save -> Persist.
  • Select the desired table in the Database Navigator and press Ctrl+S (or CMD+S for macOS), choose Persist to save the changes.
  • Utilize the Save button located at the bottom of the Properties editor and press Persist to save the changes.

Creating Partitions in Oracle

Partitions in Oracle are useful for managing large tables by dividing them into smaller, more manageable pieces. For a detailed guide on creating partitions and understanding the benefits of each partitioning type, refer to the Oracle Database Partitioning Documentation.

To create partitions in Oracle via DBeaver, follow these steps:

Tip: Besides using the GUI for creating partitions, you can also create partitions through the SQL Editor. For instructions on using the SQL Editor for partitioning, refer to the Creating Partitions using SQL Editor section.

Step 1: Create a new table and columns

  1. Create a new table including the columns that you need.

  2. Specify the column(s) that will be used for partitioning in the Partition keys field.

  3. If necessary, specify any subpartition keys by entering the relevant column name(s) in the Subpartition Keys field.

Tip: You can list multiple columns separated by commas. The case of the column names does not matter, you can use column1 or CoLumN1.

Step 2: Modify a partitioning type

Optionally, navigate to the Statistics tab for partitioning customization.

Setting Description Default Value
Partition Type Determines the method used for partitioning the table. RANGE
Subpartition Type Defines the method for subpartitioning, if subpartitions are used. RANGE

Note: You can only change the Partition Type and Subpartition Type for a new table, not an existing one.

To customize the partition and subpartition types:

  1. Click on the Partition Type or Subpartition Type value field.

  2. A dropdown menu will appear where you can select from options such as RANGE, HASH, LIST, or SYSTEM.

Partitioning Type Description
RANGE Organizes data into partitions based on a range of values.
HASH Distributes data across partitions based on a hash key.
LIST Groups data into partitions based on a list of explicit values.
SYSTEM Allows manual control over which partition stores each row.

Each type serves a different purpose and can be selected based on the specific requirements of your data organization strategy.

Step 3: Create a new partition

  1. Go to the Partitions tab.

  2. Create a new partition with the desired values.

Creating a subpartition

Once you have defined the partition keys and, if needed, subpartition keys, you can create a subpartition by following these steps:

  1. Navigate to the Partitions tab.

  2. Right-click on the partition within which you want to create a subpartition.

  3. From the context menu, select Create and then Subpartition from the subsequent options.

Important: Ensure that the subpartitioning keys and types are already defined as these will dictate how the subpartitions are organized.

Step 4: Save the table

After setting up the partitions, save the table to finalize the creation process.

Working with partitioned tables

After you've created a partitioned table in DBeaver, you can interact with it just like any other table. Remember, though, that the Partition expression will impact which data goes into which Partition.

Consider the table you created before, partitioned by RANGE (year) with a Partition for the years 2023 to 2024.

1) To insert data into the table, you would use a regular INSERT statement:

INSERT INTO orders (orderid, customerid, orderdate, "year")
VALUES (1, 101, '2023-01-01', 2023),
       (2, 102, '2023-06-01', 2023),
       (3, 103, '2024-01-01', 2024);

Each row of data would be automatically directed to the appropriate Partition based on the year value. For instance, the first two rows would be stored in the Partition for 2023, and the third would be stored in the Partition for 2024.

2) To retrieve data from your partitioned table, you use a standard SELECT statement:

SELECT *
FROM orders
WHERE year = 2023;

This will return all rows from the 2023 Partition.

Deleting Partitions

Deleting a Partition in DBeaver is simple and can be done via the Database Navigator, the Properties Editor, or the SQL Editor.

Warning: When a Partition is deleted, all the data stored in that Partition is permanently lost. The Partition is also removed from the table's Partitioning scheme. It is always recommended to back up the data before deleting a Partition.

Database Navigator

1) In the Database Navigator, expand the table which contains the Partition you want to delete.

2) Right-click on the Partition, then click Delete.

Properties Editor

1) Go to the Partitions tab of the Properties Editor for your table.

2) Right-click on the Partition, then click Delete.

SQL Editor

You can also delete a Partition by using SQL statements. The specific SQL command may vary slightly depending on the type of your database.