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PostgreSQL Enforces Uniqueness at Heap Level, Not in Index
PostgreSQL's unique indexes allow duplicate index entries because they append TID to the key, unlike Oracle. Uniqueness is verified by checking heap tuple visibility under MVCC, not by the index structure. This design accommodates multiple row versions but requires heap visits for uniqueness checks.
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A deep-dive into PostgreSQL internals that reveals a fundamental design difference from Oracle, relevant for developers optimizing database performance.
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“PostgreSQL resolves uniqueness through heap tuple visibility” →
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