devxlogo

ALTER TABLE Command

Question:
I’ve archived/purged a few thousand rows of unnecessary data, but the disk space reading hasn’t changed. Do I need to use the ALTER TABLE command to reclaim empty space from deleted rows?

Answer:
When rows are deleted, the space is not reclaimed until the table is rebuilt. An easy way is to alter the primary index to cluster. This rebuilds the table with the rows placed physically in the order of the primary key. Use this format:

ALTER INDEX  to cluster;

Charlie has over a decade of experience in website administration and technology management. As the site admin, he oversees all technical aspects of running a high-traffic online platform, ensuring optimal performance, security, and user experience.

See also  Seven Service Boundary Mistakes That Create Technical Debt

About Our Editorial Process

At DevX, we’re dedicated to tech entrepreneurship. Our team closely follows industry shifts, new products, AI breakthroughs, technology trends, and funding announcements. Articles undergo thorough editing to ensure accuracy and clarity, reflecting DevX’s style and supporting entrepreneurs in the tech sphere.

See our full editorial policy.