'(-)' in list of index columns which I get after sp_helpindexes

Hi,
Does anybody know what '(-)' means in the list of index
columns when I execute sp_helpindexes for the table.
For example:
exec sp_helpindexes <table name> returns:
column1(-),column2,column3.
I saw this several times, and it gets disapeared when I
rebuild index.
Thanks,
OJDescending.
--
Adam Machanic
SQL Server MVP
http://www.sqljunkies.com/weblog/amachanic
--
"OJ" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:866d01c4d0d3$b19ed5b0$a601280a@.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
> Does anybody know what '(-)' means in the list of index
> columns when I execute sp_helpindexes for the table.
> For example:
> exec sp_helpindexes <table name> returns:
> column1(-),column2,column3.
> I saw this several times, and it gets disapeared when I
> rebuild index.
> Thanks,
> OJ|||Hi OJ
It means the index was build with the index keys sorted in descending order.
If you rebuild your indexes, and don't explicitly state you want to build
them in descending order, they will be built in ascending order and the (-)
will go away.
--
HTH
--
Kalen Delaney
SQL Server MVP
www.SolidQualityLearning.com
"OJ" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:866d01c4d0d3$b19ed5b0$a601280a@.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
> Does anybody know what '(-)' means in the list of index
> columns when I execute sp_helpindexes for the table.
> For example:
> exec sp_helpindexes <table name> returns:
> column1(-),column2,column3.
> I saw this several times, and it gets disapeared when I
> rebuild index.
> Thanks,
> OJ