Learn how Snowflake’s Search Optimization feature enables defining alternate cluster keys for tables with existing cluster keys, enhancing query performance and flexibility.

Question

Which feature provides the capability to define an alternate cluster key for a table with an existing cluster key?

A. External table
B. Materialized view
C. Search optimization
D. Result cache

Answer

C. Search optimization

Explanation

Search optimization in Snowflake provides the capability to define an alternate cluster key for a table that already has an existing cluster key. This feature allows you to optimize query performance by clustering the table based on different columns or expressions, depending on the specific query patterns and data access requirements.

By defining an alternate cluster key using search optimization, you can:

1. Improve query performance: Queries that filter or join on the alternate cluster key columns can leverage the clustering to efficiently locate and retrieve the required data, resulting in faster query execution.
2. Enhance flexibility: Search optimization allows you to adapt to changing query patterns and optimize the table clustering based on the most frequently used columns or expressions, without modifying the original cluster key.
3. Avoid data duplication: Unlike materialized views, search optimization does not create a separate copy of the data. Instead, it leverages the existing data and creates an alternate clustering structure, minimizing storage overhead.

To define an alternate cluster key using search optimization, you use the ALTER TABLE command with the ADD SEARCH OPTIMIZATION clause, specifying the desired columns or expressions for the alternate cluster key.

For example:

ALTER TABLE my_table ADD SEARCH OPTIMIZATION ON (column1, column2);

This statement adds an alternate cluster key based on column1 and column2 to the my_table table, allowing queries that filter or join on those columns to benefit from the optimized clustering.

It’s important to note that search optimization is a separate feature from external tables, materialized views, and result caching. While these features can also improve query performance in different ways, search optimization specifically focuses on defining alternate cluster keys for existing tables.

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