Add primary key/unique constraint using prefix columns of an index

From: Jeff Janes <jeff(dot)janes(at)gmail(dot)com>
To: pgsql-hackers <pgsql-hackers(at)postgresql(dot)org>
Subject: Add primary key/unique constraint using prefix columns of an index
Date: 2012-05-22 17:24:35
Message-ID: CAMkU=1w53p2mgOabWcVOzemBXUkmEJjg67gVosNE9JZ9bxOi2A@mail.gmail.com
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Now that there are index only scans, there is a use case for having a
composite index which has the primary key or a unique key as the
prefix column(s) but with extra columns after that. Currently you
would also need another index with exactly the primary/unique key,
which seems like a waste of storage and maintenance.

Should there be a way to declare a "unique" index with the unique
property applying to a prefix of the indexed columns/expression? And
having that, a way to turn that prefix into a primary key constraint?

Of course this is easier said then done, but is there some reason for
it not to be a to-do item?

Thanks,

Jeff

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