[ADMIN] Enormous pg_sorttemp~ files when using "OR"

[Robin's Postgres List Archive]

Hi Folks,

When I write a query with a "WHERE" claused constrained by the "OR"
operator, postgresql creates the enormous pg_sorttemp~ files in
~pgsql/data/base/dbName/ that basically eat up all remaining disk space in
a matter of seconds.  These files are 1.8GB+ by the time the partition is
full.

Obviously, I need to rewrite these queries or break them up into multiple
queries.  I was posting here to see if anyone with more experience might
have a suggestion or comment on this - like a better way to write queries
that otherwise would use "OR", or maybe a configuration or hack tip on how
to prevent postgresql from running wild by building such huge sorttemp
files.

Thanks,

-Robin


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