Using Other Access Methods

The way that the generic B-tree secondary-access method orders data is useful for one-dimensional data. When your data type is not one-dimensional, you might need to use some other access method.

For information about the R-tree access method, refer to the IBM Informix: R-Tree Index User's Guide. For more information on the secondary-access methods that Data Blade modules provide, check the user guide for your DataBlade module.

Indexing Spatial Data

The R-tree secondary-access method is useful for spatial or multidimensional data such as maps and diagrams. To use an R-tree index, you must install a spatial DataBlade module such as the Spatial DataBlade module, Geodetic DataBlade module, or any third-party DataBlade module that implements an R-tree index. For more information, refer to the user documentation for your custom access method.

Indexing Other Types of Data

Your opaque data type might have data that is not optimally indexed by either a generic B-tree or an R-tree. Often, DataBlade modules that define new opaque data types provide their own secondary-access methods for these data types. For information about creating an access method, refer to the IBM Informix: Virtual-Index Interface Programmer's Guide.