When is the best time to create indexes?

I've heard that it's best to create an index on an empty table before loading the table via sqlldr.

Fact/Fiction or does it depend on the data? Any tips will be appreciated.

Hi,

You should create the index after the data is loaded. This will ensure a balanced index tree to start with.

Also create the index when there is low system activity.

Baliga

Absolutely wait until the table is populated, as mbaliga stated. Not only because of the balanced tree issue, which is *very* important, but also because it is faster to process.

Create Index
Load data
Analyze

is SLOWER than

Load data
Create Index
Analyze

- Chris

it's basically because index is a independant segment therefore if you create index first then load data you would essentially inserting *twice*, both data & index segments