Should GUIDs Be Used as Clustered Index Keys?

Improving Clustered Index Performance for GUID Primary Key

In the realm of database optimization, the performance of a table with a large number of rows and a GUID primary key often becomes a concern. The use of a clustered index on a GUID is not an ideal design practice, as GUIDs are inherently random, while clustered indexes impose a physical order on records. This conflict can result in suboptimal query performance due to the constant need to reorganize records on disk for insertion.

To improve the efficiency of such a table, consider removing clustering from the primary key index. Clustering is most suitable when data has a natural ordering, such as time inserted or account number. For time fields, clustering is usually inexpensive, and for account numbers assigned sequentially, it may offer significant benefits.

By unclustering the table and allowing the data to be stored in a non-ordered manner, we eliminate the performance bottleneck associated with GUIDs. While technical workarounds for GUID clustering exist, it is always advisable to follow best practices and avoid situations where a GUID is used as the basis for a clustered index.

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