DBAINDEXES

DBA_INDEXES is a data dictionary view in Oracle Database that provides information about all indexes defined in the database. It is primarily used by database administrators to monitor, analyze, and manage index structures, which help speed up data access for queries. Access to DBA_INDEXES typically requires DBA privileges or the appropriate dictionary access rights.

The view exposes a range of attributes describing each index, including the index name, the owner of the index, the associated table owner and table name, and the index type. Common fields cover whether the index is unique, the partitioning type if the index is partitioned, the index status (such as VALID or UNUSABLE), and performance-related metrics such as the degree of parallelism, number of leaf blocks, and the number of distinct keys. Other useful attributes include the last analyzed date, the B-tree level information, and various size-related indicators. While the exact column set can vary by Oracle version, the view generally offers a comprehensive snapshot of index metadata.

DBA_INDEXES is frequently queried in conjunction with related views such as DBA_IND_COLUMNS (to determine which columns comprise each index), DBA_PART_KEY_COLUMNS (for partitioned indexes), and DBA_OBJECTS or DBA_TABLES for broader object and table context. It also serves as a basis for maintenance and tuning tasks, such as identifying unusable or unused indexes, assessing index fragmentation, sizing, and planning rebuild or reorganization operations.

Common usage patterns include listing all indexes, filtering by owner or table, and locating indexes that may require maintenance. For example, a DBA might query to find all unusable indexes or to review index types and their distribution across tables. DBA_INDEXES, along with its related views, provides essential context for index design decisions and performance optimization.