Patent ID: 7509332

Claim:
A method for use in a database system, comprising; storing a dictionary table to indicate that customized indexing is to be maintained for a first table column according to a user-defined data type (UDT), the dictionary table further associating the first table column with user created indexing routines for manipulating the customized indexing, wherein the dictionary table has a first row corresponding to the first table column, the first row containing a first flag to indicate that the customized indexing is to be maintained for the first table column; providing a second row in the dictionary table corresponding to a second table column, the second row containing a second flag to indicate that customized indexing is not to be maintained for the second table column; and in response to a query, accessing an index table containing the customized indexing, wherein the customized indexing has a first format that differs from a predefined format for indexing defined by database software in the database system.