Answer
HOT updates modify rows without touching indexes when only non-indexed columns change. This reduces index bloat and improves write performance.
Quick Answer
HOT (Heap Only Tuple) updates avoid updating indexes when the row is updated but indexed columns are unchanged and the new tuple fits on the same page. The old tuple gets a HEAP_HOT_UPDATED flag pointing to the new tuple in the same page. Index entries still point to the old tuple, which chains to the new one. Dramatically reduces write amplification for frequent updates to non-indexed columns.
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SugharaIQ Editorial Team
Verified Answer
This answer has been peer-reviewed by industry experts holding senior engineering roles to ensure technical accuracy and relevance for modern interview standards.
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Source: SugharaIQ