Subject: [PATCH 2/2] Index skip scan

From: jesperpedersen <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2020 08:01:55 -0500

Implementation of Index Skip Scan (see Loose Index Scan in the wiki [1])
on top of IndexOnlyScan and IndexScan. To make it suitable for both
situations when there are small number of distinct values and
significant amount of distinct values the following approach is taken -
instead of searching from the root for every value we're searching for
then first on the current page, and then if not found continue searching
from the root.

Original patch and design were proposed by Thomas Munro [2], revived and
improved by Dmitry Dolgov and Jesper Pedersen.

[1] https://wiki.postgresql.org/wiki/Loose_indexscan
[2] https://www.postgresql.org/message-id/flat/CADLWmXXbTSBxP-MzJuPAYSsL_2f0iPm5VWPbCvDbVvfX93FKkw%40mail.gmail.com

Author: Jesper Pedersen, Dmitry Dolgov
Reviewed-by: Thomas Munro, David Rowley, Floris Van Nee, Kyotaro Horiguchi, Tomas Vondra, Peter Geoghegan
---
 contrib/bloom/blutils.c                       |   1 +
 doc/src/sgml/config.sgml                      |  15 +
 doc/src/sgml/indexam.sgml                     |  63 +++
 doc/src/sgml/indices.sgml                     |  23 +
 src/backend/access/brin/brin.c                |   1 +
 src/backend/access/gin/ginutil.c              |   1 +
 src/backend/access/gist/gist.c                |   1 +
 src/backend/access/hash/hash.c                |   1 +
 src/backend/access/index/indexam.c            |  18 +
 src/backend/access/nbtree/nbtree.c            |  13 +
 src/backend/access/nbtree/nbtsearch.c         | 366 +++++++++++++
 src/backend/access/spgist/spgutils.c          |   1 +
 src/backend/commands/explain.c                |  25 +
 src/backend/executor/nodeIndexonlyscan.c      |  51 +-
 src/backend/executor/nodeIndexscan.c          |  56 +-
 src/backend/nodes/copyfuncs.c                 |   2 +
 src/backend/nodes/outfuncs.c                  |   2 +
 src/backend/nodes/readfuncs.c                 |   2 +
 src/backend/optimizer/path/costsize.c         |   1 +
 src/backend/optimizer/plan/createplan.c       |  20 +-
 src/backend/optimizer/plan/planner.c          |  76 +++
 src/backend/optimizer/util/pathnode.c         |  40 ++
 src/backend/optimizer/util/plancat.c          |   1 +
 src/backend/utils/misc/guc.c                  |   9 +
 src/backend/utils/misc/postgresql.conf.sample |   1 +
 src/include/access/amapi.h                    |   8 +
 src/include/access/genam.h                    |   2 +
 src/include/access/nbtree.h                   |   7 +
 src/include/access/sdir.h                     |   7 +
 src/include/nodes/execnodes.h                 |   6 +
 src/include/nodes/pathnodes.h                 |   5 +
 src/include/nodes/plannodes.h                 |   4 +
 src/include/optimizer/cost.h                  |   1 +
 src/include/optimizer/pathnode.h              |   5 +
 src/test/regress/expected/select_distinct.out | 505 ++++++++++++++++++
 src/test/regress/expected/sysviews.out        |   3 +-
 src/test/regress/sql/select_distinct.sql      | 186 +++++++
 37 files changed, 1518 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-)

diff --git a/contrib/bloom/blutils.c b/contrib/bloom/blutils.c
index 0104d02f67..a018b7f3d0 100644
--- a/contrib/bloom/blutils.c
+++ b/contrib/bloom/blutils.c
@@ -133,6 +133,7 @@ blhandler(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)
 	amroutine->ambulkdelete = blbulkdelete;
 	amroutine->amvacuumcleanup = blvacuumcleanup;
 	amroutine->amcanreturn = NULL;
+	amroutine->amskip = NULL;
 	amroutine->amcostestimate = blcostestimate;
 	amroutine->amoptions = bloptions;
 	amroutine->amproperty = NULL;
diff --git a/doc/src/sgml/config.sgml b/doc/src/sgml/config.sgml
index 3ccacd528b..f99e702364 100644
--- a/doc/src/sgml/config.sgml
+++ b/doc/src/sgml/config.sgml
@@ -4517,6 +4517,21 @@ ANY <replaceable class="parameter">num_sync</replaceable> ( <replaceable class="
       </listitem>
      </varlistentry>
 
+     <varlistentry id="guc-enable-indexskipscan" xreflabel="enable_indexskipscan">
+      <term><varname>enable_indexskipscan</varname> (<type>boolean</type>)
+      <indexterm>
+       <primary><varname>enable_indexskipscan</varname> configuration parameter</primary>
+      </indexterm>
+      </term>
+      <listitem>
+       <para>
+        Enables or disables the query planner's use of index-skip-scan plan
+        types (see <xref linkend="indexes-index-skip-scans"/>). The default is
+        <literal>on</literal>.
+       </para>
+      </listitem>
+     </varlistentry>
+
      <varlistentry id="guc-enable-material" xreflabel="enable_material">
       <term><varname>enable_material</varname> (<type>boolean</type>)
       <indexterm>
diff --git a/doc/src/sgml/indexam.sgml b/doc/src/sgml/indexam.sgml
index 37f8d8760a..a726d80878 100644
--- a/doc/src/sgml/indexam.sgml
+++ b/doc/src/sgml/indexam.sgml
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ typedef struct IndexAmRoutine
     amendscan_function amendscan;
     ammarkpos_function ammarkpos;       /* can be NULL */
     amrestrpos_function amrestrpos;     /* can be NULL */
+    amskip_function amskip;             /* can be NULL */
 
     /* interface functions to support parallel index scans */
     amestimateparallelscan_function amestimateparallelscan;    /* can be NULL */
@@ -691,6 +692,68 @@ amrestrpos (IndexScanDesc scan);
 
   <para>
 <programlisting>
+bool
+amskip (IndexScanDesc scan,
+        ScanDirection direction,
+        ScanDirection indexdir,
+        bool scanstart,
+        int prefix);
+</programlisting>
+  Skip past all tuples where the first 'prefix' columns have the same value as
+  the last tuple returned in the current scan. The arguments are:
+
+   <variablelist>
+    <varlistentry>
+     <term><parameter>scan</parameter></term>
+     <listitem>
+      <para>
+       Index scan information
+      </para>
+     </listitem>
+    </varlistentry>
+
+    <varlistentry>
+     <term><parameter>direction</parameter></term>
+     <listitem>
+      <para>
+       The direction in which data is advancing.
+      </para>
+     </listitem>
+    </varlistentry>
+
+    <varlistentry>
+     <term><parameter>indexdir</parameter></term>
+     <listitem>
+      <para>
+        The index direction, in which data must be read.
+      </para>
+     </listitem>
+    </varlistentry>
+
+    <varlistentry>
+     <term><parameter>scanstart</parameter></term>
+     <listitem>
+      <para>
+        Whether or not it is a start of the scan.
+      </para>
+     </listitem>
+    </varlistentry>
+
+    <varlistentry>
+     <term><parameter>prefix</parameter></term>
+     <listitem>
+      <para>
+        Distinct prefix size.
+      </para>
+     </listitem>
+    </varlistentry>
+
+   </variablelist>
+
+  </para>
+
+  <para>
+<programlisting>
 Size
 amestimateparallelscan (void);
 </programlisting>
diff --git a/doc/src/sgml/indices.sgml b/doc/src/sgml/indices.sgml
index c54bf0dbbd..c429d98fc7 100644
--- a/doc/src/sgml/indices.sgml
+++ b/doc/src/sgml/indices.sgml
@@ -1254,6 +1254,29 @@ SELECT target FROM tests WHERE subject = 'some-subject' AND success;
    and later will recognize such cases and allow index-only scans to be
    generated, but older versions will not.
   </para>
+
+  <sect2 id="indexes-index-skip-scans">
+    <title>Index Skip Scans</title>
+
+    <indexterm zone="indexes-index-skip-scans">
+      <primary>index</primary>
+      <secondary>index-skip scans</secondary>
+    </indexterm>
+    <indexterm zone="indexes-index-skip-scans">
+      <primary>index-skip scan</primary>
+    </indexterm>
+
+    <para>
+     When the rows retrieved from an index scan are then deduplicated by
+     eliminating rows matching on a prefix of index keys (e.g. when using
+     <literal>SELECT DISTINCT</literal>), the planner will consider
+     skipping groups of rows with a matching key prefix. When a row with
+     a particular prefix is found, remaining rows with the same key prefix
+     are skipped.  The larger the number of rows with the same key prefix
+     rows (i.e. the lower the number of distinct key prefixes in the index),
+     the more efficient this is.
+    </para>
+  </sect2>
  </sect1>

diff --git a/src/backend/access/brin/brin.c b/src/backend/access/brin/brin.c
index 2e8f67ef10..4db31bb211 100644
--- a/src/backend/access/brin/brin.c
+++ b/src/backend/access/brin/brin.c
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ brinhandler(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)
 	amroutine->ambulkdelete = brinbulkdelete;
 	amroutine->amvacuumcleanup = brinvacuumcleanup;
 	amroutine->amcanreturn = NULL;
+	amroutine->amskip = NULL;
 	amroutine->amcostestimate = brincostestimate;
 	amroutine->amoptions = brinoptions;
 	amroutine->amproperty = NULL;
diff --git a/src/backend/access/gin/ginutil.c b/src/backend/access/gin/ginutil.c
index a7e55caf28..8dd1d30d2a 100644
--- a/src/backend/access/gin/ginutil.c
+++ b/src/backend/access/gin/ginutil.c
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ ginhandler(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)
 	amroutine->ambulkdelete = ginbulkdelete;
 	amroutine->amvacuumcleanup = ginvacuumcleanup;
 	amroutine->amcanreturn = NULL;
+	amroutine->amskip = NULL;
 	amroutine->amcostestimate = gincostestimate;
 	amroutine->amoptions = ginoptions;
 	amroutine->amproperty = NULL;
diff --git a/src/backend/access/gist/gist.c b/src/backend/access/gist/gist.c
index aefc302ed2..8c692f7fb4 100644
--- a/src/backend/access/gist/gist.c
+++ b/src/backend/access/gist/gist.c
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ gisthandler(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)
 	amroutine->ambulkdelete = gistbulkdelete;
 	amroutine->amvacuumcleanup = gistvacuumcleanup;
 	amroutine->amcanreturn = gistcanreturn;
+	amroutine->amskip = NULL;
 	amroutine->amcostestimate = gistcostestimate;
 	amroutine->amoptions = gistoptions;
 	amroutine->amproperty = gistproperty;
diff --git a/src/backend/access/hash/hash.c b/src/backend/access/hash/hash.c
index 4871b7ff4d..e5fa4c7864 100644
--- a/src/backend/access/hash/hash.c
+++ b/src/backend/access/hash/hash.c
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ hashhandler(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)
 	amroutine->ambulkdelete = hashbulkdelete;
 	amroutine->amvacuumcleanup = hashvacuumcleanup;
 	amroutine->amcanreturn = NULL;
+	amroutine->amskip = NULL;
 	amroutine->amcostestimate = hashcostestimate;
 	amroutine->amoptions = hashoptions;
 	amroutine->amproperty = NULL;
diff --git a/src/backend/access/index/indexam.c b/src/backend/access/index/indexam.c
index 01539b6bd6..1047a35ade 100644
--- a/src/backend/access/index/indexam.c
+++ b/src/backend/access/index/indexam.c
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
  *		index_can_return	- does index support index-only scans?
  *		index_getprocid - get a support procedure OID
  *		index_getprocinfo - get a support procedure's lookup info
+ *		index_skip		- advance past duplicate key values in a scan
  *
  * NOTES
  *		This file contains the index_ routines which used
@@ -730,6 +731,23 @@ index_can_return(Relation indexRelation, int attno)
 	return indexRelation->rd_indam->amcanreturn(indexRelation, attno);
 }
 
+/* ----------------
+ *		index_skip
+ *
+ *		Skip past all tuples where the first 'prefix' columns have the
+ *		same value as the last tuple returned in the current scan.
+ * ----------------
+ */
+bool
+index_skip(IndexScanDesc scan, ScanDirection direction,
+		   ScanDirection indexdir, bool scanstart, int prefix)
+{
+	SCAN_CHECKS;
+
+	return scan->indexRelation->rd_indam->amskip(scan, direction,
+												 indexdir, scanstart, prefix);
+}
+
 /* ----------------
  *		index_getprocid
  *
diff --git a/src/backend/access/nbtree/nbtree.c b/src/backend/access/nbtree/nbtree.c
index 5254bc7ef5..8fde56fe60 100644
--- a/src/backend/access/nbtree/nbtree.c
+++ b/src/backend/access/nbtree/nbtree.c
@@ -132,6 +132,7 @@ bthandler(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)
 	amroutine->ambulkdelete = btbulkdelete;
 	amroutine->amvacuumcleanup = btvacuumcleanup;
 	amroutine->amcanreturn = btcanreturn;
+	amroutine->amskip = btskip;
 	amroutine->amcostestimate = btcostestimate;
 	amroutine->amoptions = btoptions;
 	amroutine->amproperty = btproperty;
@@ -381,6 +382,8 @@ btbeginscan(Relation rel, int nkeys, int norderbys)
 	 */
 	so->currTuples = so->markTuples = NULL;
 
+	so->skipScanKey = NULL;
+
 	scan->xs_itupdesc = RelationGetDescr(rel);
 
 	scan->opaque = so;
@@ -448,6 +451,16 @@ btrescan(IndexScanDesc scan, ScanKey scankey, int nscankeys,
 	_bt_preprocess_array_keys(scan);
 }
 
+/*
+ * btskip() -- skip to the beginning of the next key prefix
+ */
+bool
+btskip(IndexScanDesc scan, ScanDirection direction,
+	   ScanDirection indexdir, bool start, int prefix)
+{
+	return _bt_skip(scan, direction, indexdir, start, prefix);
+}
+
 /*
  *	btendscan() -- close down a scan
  */
diff --git a/src/backend/access/nbtree/nbtsearch.c b/src/backend/access/nbtree/nbtsearch.c
index c573814f01..4189730f3a 100644
--- a/src/backend/access/nbtree/nbtsearch.c
+++ b/src/backend/access/nbtree/nbtsearch.c
@@ -37,6 +37,10 @@ static bool _bt_parallel_readpage(IndexScanDesc scan, BlockNumber blkno,
 static Buffer _bt_walk_left(Relation rel, Buffer buf, Snapshot snapshot);
 static bool _bt_endpoint(IndexScanDesc scan, ScanDirection dir);
 static inline void _bt_initialize_more_data(BTScanOpaque so, ScanDirection dir);
+static inline void _bt_update_skip_scankeys(IndexScanDesc scan,
+											Relation indexRel);
+static inline bool _bt_scankey_within_page(IndexScanDesc scan, BTScanInsert key,
+										Buffer buf, ScanDirection dir);

 /*
@@ -1375,6 +1379,312 @@ _bt_next(IndexScanDesc scan, ScanDirection dir)
 	return true;
 }
 
+/*
+ *  _bt_skip() -- Skip items that have the same prefix as the most recently
+ * 				  fetched index tuple.
+ *
+ * 		The current position is set so that a subsequent call to _bt_next will
+ * 		fetch the first tuple that differs in the leading 'prefix' keys.
+ *
+ * 		There are four different kinds of skipping (depending on dir and
+ * 		indexdir, that are important to distinguish, especially in the presense
+ * 		of an index condition:
+ *
+ * 		* Advancing forward and reading forward
+ * 			simple scan
+ *
+ * 		* Advancing forward and reading backward
+ * 			scan inside a cursor fetching backward, when skipping is necessary
+ * 			right from the start
+ *
+ * 		* Advancing backward and reading forward
+ * 			scan with order by desc inside a cursor fetching forward, when
+ * 			skipping is necessary right from the start
+ *
+ * 		* Advancing backward and reading backward
+ * 			simple scan with order by desc
+ *
+ *      The current page is searched for the next unique value. If none is found
+ *      we will do a scan from the root in order to find the next page with
+ *      a unique value.
+ */
+bool
+_bt_skip(IndexScanDesc scan, ScanDirection dir,
+		 ScanDirection indexdir, bool scanstart, int prefix)
+{
+	BTScanOpaque so = (BTScanOpaque) scan->opaque;
+	BTStack stack;
+	Buffer buf;
+	OffsetNumber offnum;
+	BTScanPosItem *currItem;
+	Relation 	 indexRel = scan->indexRelation;
+
+	/* We want to return tuples, and we need a starting point */
+	Assert(scan->xs_want_itup);
+	Assert(scan->xs_itup);
+
+	/* If skipScanKey is NULL then we initialize it with _bt_mkscankey */
+	if (so->skipScanKey == NULL)
+	{
+		so->skipScanKey = _bt_mkscankey(indexRel, scan->xs_itup);
+		so->skipScanKey->keysz = prefix;
+		so->skipScanKey->scantid = NULL;
+	}
+	_bt_update_skip_scankeys(scan, indexRel);
+
+	/* Check if the next unique key can be found within the current page */
+	if (BTScanPosIsValid(so->currPos) &&
+		_bt_scankey_within_page(scan, so->skipScanKey, so->currPos.buf, dir))
+	{
+		bool keyFound = false;
+
+		LockBuffer(so->currPos.buf, BT_READ);
+		offnum = _bt_binsrch(scan->indexRelation, so->skipScanKey, so->currPos.buf);
+
+		/* Lock the page for SERIALIZABLE transactions */
+		PredicateLockPage(scan->indexRelation, BufferGetBlockNumber(so->currPos.buf),
+						  scan->xs_snapshot);
+
+		/* We know in which direction to look */
+		_bt_initialize_more_data(so, dir);
+
+		/* Now read the data */
+		keyFound = _bt_readpage(scan, dir, offnum);
+
+		LockBuffer(so->currPos.buf, BUFFER_LOCK_UNLOCK);
+		if (keyFound)
+		{
+			/* set IndexTuple */
+			currItem = &so->currPos.items[so->currPos.itemIndex];
+			scan->xs_heaptid = currItem->heapTid;
+			scan->xs_itup = (IndexTuple) (so->currTuples + currItem->tupleOffset);
+			return true;
+		}
+	}
+
+	if (BTScanPosIsValid(so->currPos))
+	{
+		ReleaseBuffer(so->currPos.buf);
+		so->currPos.buf = InvalidBuffer;
+	}
+
+	/*
+	 * We haven't found scan key within the current page, so let's scan from
+	 * the root. Use _bt_search and _bt_binsrch to get the buffer and offset
+	 * number
+	 */
+	so->skipScanKey->nextkey = ScanDirectionIsForward(dir);
+	stack = _bt_search(scan->indexRelation, so->skipScanKey,
+					   &buf, BT_READ, scan->xs_snapshot);
+	_bt_freestack(stack);
+	so->currPos.buf = buf;
+	offnum = _bt_binsrch(scan->indexRelation, so->skipScanKey, buf);
+
+	/* Lock the page for SERIALIZABLE transactions */
+	PredicateLockPage(scan->indexRelation, BufferGetBlockNumber(buf),
+					  scan->xs_snapshot);
+
+	/* We know in which direction to look */
+	_bt_initialize_more_data(so, dir);
+
+	/*
+	 * Simplest case is when both directions are forward, when we are already
+	 * at the next distinct key at the beginning of the series (so everything
+	 * else would be done in _bt_readpage)
+	 *
+	 * The case when both directions are backwards is also simple, but we need
+	 * to go one step back, since we need a last element from the previous
+	 * series.
+	 */
+	if (ScanDirectionIsBackward(dir) && ScanDirectionIsBackward(indexdir))
+		 offnum = OffsetNumberPrev(offnum);
+
+	/*
+	 * Andvance backward but read forward. At this moment we are at the next
+	 * distinct key at the beginning of the series. In case if scan just
+	 * started, we can read forward without doing anything else. Otherwise
+	 * find previous distinct key and the beginning of it's series and read
+	 * forward from there. To do so, go back one step, perform binary search
+	 * to find the first item in the series and let _bt_readpage do everything
+	 * else.
+	 */
+	else if (ScanDirectionIsBackward(dir) && ScanDirectionIsForward(indexdir))
+	{
+		if (!scanstart)
+		{
+			offnum = _bt_binsrch(scan->indexRelation, so->skipScanKey, buf);
+
+			/* One step back to find a previous value */
+			_bt_readpage(scan, dir, offnum);
+
+			LockBuffer(so->currPos.buf, BUFFER_LOCK_UNLOCK);
+			if (_bt_next(scan, dir))
+			{
+				_bt_update_skip_scankeys(scan, indexRel);
+
+				/*
+				 * And now find the last item from the sequence for the
+				 * current, value with the intention do OffsetNumberNext. As a
+				 * result we end up on a first element from the sequence.
+				 */
+				if (_bt_scankey_within_page(scan, so->skipScanKey,
+											so->currPos.buf, dir))
+					offnum = _bt_binsrch(scan->indexRelation, so->skipScanKey, buf);
+				else
+				{
+					ReleaseBuffer(so->currPos.buf);
+					so->currPos.buf = InvalidBuffer;
+
+					stack = _bt_search(scan->indexRelation, so->skipScanKey,
+									   &buf, BT_READ, scan->xs_snapshot);
+					_bt_freestack(stack);
+					so->currPos.buf = buf;
+					offnum = _bt_binsrch(scan->indexRelation, so->skipScanKey, buf);
+				}
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				pfree(so->skipScanKey);
+				so->skipScanKey = NULL;
+				return false;
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	/*
+	 * Advance forward but read backward. At this moment we are at the next
+	 * distinct key at the beginning of the series. In case if scan just
+	 * started, we can go one step back and read forward without doing
+	 * anything else. Otherwise find the next distinct key and the beginning
+	 * of it's series, go one step back and read backward from there.
+	 *
+	 * An interesting situation can happen if one of distinct keys do not pass
+	 * a corresponding index condition at all. In this case reading backward
+	 * can lead to a previous distinct key being found, creating a loop. To
+	 * avoid that check the value to be returned, and jump one more time if
+	 * it's the same as at the beginning.
+	 */
+	else if (ScanDirectionIsForward(dir) && ScanDirectionIsBackward(indexdir))
+	{
+		if (scanstart)
+			offnum = OffsetNumberPrev(offnum);
+		else
+		{
+			OffsetNumber nextOffset,
+						startOffset;
+
+			nextOffset = startOffset = ItemPointerGetOffsetNumber(&scan->xs_itup->t_tid);
+
+			while (nextOffset == startOffset)
+			{
+				IndexTuple itup;
+
+				/*
+				 * Find a next index tuple to update scan key. It could be at
+				 * the end, so check for max offset
+				 */
+				OffsetNumber curOffnum = offnum;
+				Page page = BufferGetPage(so->currPos.buf);
+				OffsetNumber maxoff = PageGetMaxOffsetNumber(page);
+				ItemId itemid = PageGetItemId(page, Min(offnum, maxoff));
+
+				scan->xs_itup = (IndexTuple) PageGetItem(page, itemid);
+				so->skipScanKey->nextkey = ScanDirectionIsForward(dir);
+
+				_bt_update_skip_scankeys(scan, indexRel);
+				LockBuffer(so->currPos.buf, BUFFER_LOCK_UNLOCK);
+
+				if (BTScanPosIsValid(so->currPos))
+				{
+					ReleaseBuffer(so->currPos.buf);
+					so->currPos.buf = InvalidBuffer;
+				}
+
+				stack = _bt_search(scan->indexRelation, so->skipScanKey,
+								   &buf, BT_READ, scan->xs_snapshot);
+				_bt_freestack(stack);
+				so->currPos.buf = buf;
+				offnum = _bt_binsrch(scan->indexRelation, so->skipScanKey, buf);
+
+				/*
+				 * Jump to the next key returned the same offset, which means
+				 * we are at the end and need to return
+				 */
+				if (offnum == curOffnum)
+				{
+					LockBuffer(so->currPos.buf, BUFFER_LOCK_UNLOCK);
+
+					BTScanPosUnpinIfPinned(so->currPos);
+					BTScanPosInvalidate(so->currPos)
+
+					pfree(so->skipScanKey);
+					so->skipScanKey = NULL;
+					return false;
+				}
+
+				offnum = OffsetNumberPrev(offnum);
+
+				/* Check if _bt_readpage returns already found item */
+				if (!_bt_readpage(scan, indexdir, offnum))
+				{
+					/*
+					 * There's no actually-matching data on this page.  Try to
+					 * advance to the next page. Return false if there's no
+					 * matching data at all.
+					 */
+					LockBuffer(so->currPos.buf, BUFFER_LOCK_UNLOCK);
+					if (!_bt_steppage(scan, dir))
+					{
+						pfree(so->skipScanKey);
+						so->skipScanKey = NULL;
+						return false;
+					}
+				}
+
+				currItem = &so->currPos.items[so->currPos.lastItem];
+				itup = (IndexTuple) (so->currTuples + currItem->tupleOffset);
+				nextOffset = ItemPointerGetOffsetNumber(&itup->t_tid);
+
+				/*
+				 * If the nextOffset is the same as before, it means we are in
+				 * the loop, return offnum to the original position and jump
+				 * further
+				 */
+				if (nextOffset == startOffset)
+					offnum = OffsetNumberNext(offnum);
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	/* Now read the data */
+	if (!_bt_readpage(scan, indexdir, offnum))
+	{
+		/*
+		 * There's no actually-matching data on this page.  Try to advance to
+		 * the next page.  Return false if there's no matching data at all.
+		 */
+		LockBuffer(so->currPos.buf, BUFFER_LOCK_UNLOCK);
+		if (!_bt_steppage(scan, dir))
+		{
+			pfree(so->skipScanKey);
+			so->skipScanKey = NULL;
+			return false;
+		}
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		/* Drop the lock, and maybe the pin, on the current page */
+		LockBuffer(so->currPos.buf, BUFFER_LOCK_UNLOCK);
+	}
+
+	/* And set IndexTuple */
+	currItem = &so->currPos.items[so->currPos.itemIndex];
+	scan->xs_heaptid = currItem->heapTid;
+	scan->xs_itup = (IndexTuple) (so->currTuples + currItem->tupleOffset);
+
+	return true;
+}
+
 /*
  *	_bt_readpage() -- Load data from current index page into so->currPos
  *
@@ -2246,3 +2556,59 @@ _bt_initialize_more_data(BTScanOpaque so, ScanDirection dir)
 	so->numKilled = 0;			/* just paranoia */
 	so->markItemIndex = -1;		/* ditto */
 }
+
+/*
+ * _bt_update_skip_scankeys() -- set up a new values for the existing scankeys
+ * 								 based on the current index tuple
+ */
+static inline void
+_bt_update_skip_scankeys(IndexScanDesc scan, Relation indexRel)
+{
+	TupleDesc		itupdesc;
+	int			indnkeyatts,
+				i;
+	BTScanOpaque 	so = (BTScanOpaque) scan->opaque;
+	ScanKey			scankeys = so->skipScanKey->scankeys;
+
+	itupdesc = RelationGetDescr(indexRel);
+	indnkeyatts = IndexRelationGetNumberOfKeyAttributes(indexRel);
+	for (i = 0; i < indnkeyatts; i++)
+	{
+		Datum datum;
+		bool null;
+		int flags;
+
+		datum = index_getattr(scan->xs_itup, i + 1, itupdesc, &null);
+		flags = (null ? SK_ISNULL : 0) |
+				(indexRel->rd_indoption[i] << SK_BT_INDOPTION_SHIFT);
+		scankeys[i].sk_flags = flags;
+		scankeys[i].sk_argument = datum;
+	}
+}
+
+/*
+ * _bt_scankey_within_page() -- check if the provided scankey could be found
+ * 								within a page, specified by the buffer.
+ */
+static inline bool
+_bt_scankey_within_page(IndexScanDesc scan, BTScanInsert key,
+						Buffer buf, ScanDirection dir)
+{
+	OffsetNumber low,
+				high,
+				compare_offset;
+	Page page = BufferGetPage(buf);
+	BTPageOpaque opaque = (BTPageOpaque) PageGetSpecialPointer(page);
+	int 		 compare_value = ScanDirectionIsForward(dir) ? 0 : 1;
+
+	low = P_FIRSTDATAKEY(opaque);
+	high = PageGetMaxOffsetNumber(page);
+
+	if (unlikely(high < low))
+		return false;
+
+	compare_offset = ScanDirectionIsForward(dir) ? high : low;
+
+	return _bt_compare(scan->indexRelation,
+					   key, page, compare_offset) > compare_value;
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/access/spgist/spgutils.c b/src/backend/access/spgist/spgutils.c
index 4924ae1c59..fa09a4685e 100644
--- a/src/backend/access/spgist/spgutils.c
+++ b/src/backend/access/spgist/spgutils.c
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ spghandler(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)
 	amroutine->ambulkdelete = spgbulkdelete;
 	amroutine->amvacuumcleanup = spgvacuumcleanup;
 	amroutine->amcanreturn = spgcanreturn;
+	amroutine->amskip = NULL;
 	amroutine->amcostestimate = spgcostestimate;
 	amroutine->amoptions = spgoptions;
 	amroutine->amproperty = spgproperty;
diff --git a/src/backend/commands/explain.c b/src/backend/commands/explain.c
index d189b8d573..60cd801247 100644
--- a/src/backend/commands/explain.c
+++ b/src/backend/commands/explain.c
@@ -130,6 +130,7 @@ static void ExplainDummyGroup(const char *objtype, const char *labelname,
 static void ExplainXMLTag(const char *tagname, int flags, ExplainState *es);
 static void ExplainJSONLineEnding(ExplainState *es);
 static void ExplainYAMLLineStarting(ExplainState *es);
+static void ExplainIndexSkipScanKeys(int skipPrefixSize, ExplainState *es);
 static void escape_yaml(StringInfo buf, const char *str);

@@ -1058,6 +1059,22 @@ ExplainPreScanNode(PlanState *planstate, Bitmapset **rels_used)
 	return planstate_tree_walker(planstate, ExplainPreScanNode, rels_used);
 }
 
+/*
+ * ExplainIndexSkipScanKeys -
+ *	  Append information about index skip scan to es->str.
+ *
+ * Can be used to print the skip prefix size.
+ */
+static void
+ExplainIndexSkipScanKeys(int skipPrefixSize, ExplainState *es)
+{
+	if (skipPrefixSize > 0)
+	{
+		if (es->format != EXPLAIN_FORMAT_TEXT)
+			ExplainPropertyInteger("Distinct Prefix", NULL, skipPrefixSize, es);
+	}
+}
+
 /*
  * ExplainNode -
  *	  Appends a description of a plan tree to es->str
@@ -1380,6 +1397,8 @@ ExplainNode(PlanState *planstate, List *ancestors,
 			{
 				IndexScan  *indexscan = (IndexScan *) plan;
 
+				ExplainIndexSkipScanKeys(indexscan->indexskipprefixsize, es);
+
 				ExplainIndexScanDetails(indexscan->indexid,
 										indexscan->indexorderdir,
 										es);
@@ -1390,6 +1409,8 @@ ExplainNode(PlanState *planstate, List *ancestors,
 			{
 				IndexOnlyScan *indexonlyscan = (IndexOnlyScan *) plan;
 
+				ExplainIndexSkipScanKeys(indexonlyscan->indexskipprefixsize, es);
+
 				ExplainIndexScanDetails(indexonlyscan->indexid,
 										indexonlyscan->indexorderdir,
 										es);
@@ -1599,6 +1620,8 @@ ExplainNode(PlanState *planstate, List *ancestors,
 	switch (nodeTag(plan))
 	{
 		case T_IndexScan:
+			if (((IndexScan *) plan)->indexskipprefixsize > 0)
+				ExplainPropertyBool("Skip scan", true, es);
 			show_scan_qual(((IndexScan *) plan)->indexqualorig,
 						   "Index Cond", planstate, ancestors, es);
 			if (((IndexScan *) plan)->indexqualorig)
@@ -1612,6 +1635,8 @@ ExplainNode(PlanState *planstate, List *ancestors,
 										   planstate, es);
 			break;
 		case T_IndexOnlyScan:
+			if (((IndexOnlyScan *) plan)->indexskipprefixsize > 0)
+				ExplainPropertyBool("Skip scan", true, es);
 			show_scan_qual(((IndexOnlyScan *) plan)->indexqual,
 						   "Index Cond", planstate, ancestors, es);
 			if (((IndexOnlyScan *) plan)->indexqual)
diff --git a/src/backend/executor/nodeIndexonlyscan.c b/src/backend/executor/nodeIndexonlyscan.c
index 5617ac29e7..76330f7906 100644
--- a/src/backend/executor/nodeIndexonlyscan.c
+++ b/src/backend/executor/nodeIndexonlyscan.c
@@ -65,6 +65,13 @@ IndexOnlyNext(IndexOnlyScanState *node)
 	IndexScanDesc scandesc;
 	TupleTableSlot *slot;
 	ItemPointer tid;
+	IndexOnlyScan *indexonlyscan = (IndexOnlyScan *) node->ss.ps.plan;
+
+	/*
+	 * tells if the current position was reached via skipping. In this case
+	 * there is no nead for the index_getnext_tid
+	 */
+	bool skipped = false;
 
 	/*
 	 * extract necessary information from index scan node
@@ -72,7 +79,7 @@ IndexOnlyNext(IndexOnlyScanState *node)
 	estate = node->ss.ps.state;
 	direction = estate->es_direction;
 	/* flip direction if this is an overall backward scan */
-	if (ScanDirectionIsBackward(((IndexOnlyScan *) node->ss.ps.plan)->indexorderdir))
+	if (ScanDirectionIsBackward(indexonlyscan->indexorderdir))
 	{
 		if (ScanDirectionIsForward(direction))
 			direction = BackwardScanDirection;
@@ -115,14 +122,50 @@ IndexOnlyNext(IndexOnlyScanState *node)
 						 node->ioss_NumOrderByKeys);
 	}
 
+	/*
+	 * Check if we need to skip to the next key prefix, because we've been
+	 * asked to implement DISTINCT.
+	 *
+	 * When fetching a cursor in the direction opposite to a general scan
+	 * direction, the result must be what normal fetching should have
+	 * returned, but in reversed order. In other words, return the last or
+	 * first scanned tuple in a DISTINCT set, depending on a cursor direction.
+	 * Due to that we skip also when the first tuple wasn't emitted yet, but
+	 * the directions are opposite.
+	 */
+	if (node->ioss_SkipPrefixSize > 0 &&
+		(node->ioss_FirstTupleEmitted ||
+		 ScanDirectionsAreOpposite(direction, indexonlyscan->indexorderdir)))
+	{
+		if (!index_skip(scandesc, direction, indexonlyscan->indexorderdir,
+						!node->ioss_FirstTupleEmitted, node->ioss_SkipPrefixSize))
+		{
+			/*
+			 * Reached end of index. At this point currPos is invalidated, and
+			 * we need to reset ioss_FirstTupleEmitted, since otherwise after
+			 * going backwards, reaching the end of index, and going forward
+			 * again we apply skip again. It would be incorrect and lead to an
+			 * extra skipped item.
+			 */
+			node->ioss_FirstTupleEmitted = false;
+			return ExecClearTuple(slot);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			skipped = true;
+			tid = &scandesc->xs_heaptid;
+		}
+	}
+
 	/*
 	 * OK, now that we have what we need, fetch the next tuple.
 	 */
-	while ((tid = index_getnext_tid(scandesc, direction)) != NULL)
+	while (skipped || (tid = index_getnext_tid(scandesc, direction)) != NULL)
 	{
 		bool		tuple_from_heap = false;
 
 		CHECK_FOR_INTERRUPTS();
+		skipped = false;
 
 		/*
 		 * We can skip the heap fetch if the TID references a heap page on
@@ -250,6 +293,8 @@ IndexOnlyNext(IndexOnlyScanState *node)
 							  ItemPointerGetBlockNumber(tid),
 							  estate->es_snapshot);
 
+		node->ioss_FirstTupleEmitted = true;
+
 		return slot;
 	}
 
@@ -504,6 +549,8 @@ ExecInitIndexOnlyScan(IndexOnlyScan *node, EState *estate, int eflags)
 	indexstate->ss.ps.plan = (Plan *) node;
 	indexstate->ss.ps.state = estate;
 	indexstate->ss.ps.ExecProcNode = ExecIndexOnlyScan;
+	indexstate->ioss_SkipPrefixSize = node->indexskipprefixsize;
+	indexstate->ioss_FirstTupleEmitted = false;
 
 	/*
 	 * Miscellaneous initialization
diff --git a/src/backend/executor/nodeIndexscan.c b/src/backend/executor/nodeIndexscan.c
index d0a96a38e0..449aaec3ac 100644
--- a/src/backend/executor/nodeIndexscan.c
+++ b/src/backend/executor/nodeIndexscan.c
@@ -85,6 +85,13 @@ IndexNext(IndexScanState *node)
 	ScanDirection direction;
 	IndexScanDesc scandesc;
 	TupleTableSlot *slot;
+	IndexScan *indexscan = (IndexScan *) node->ss.ps.plan;
+
+	/*
+	 * tells if the current position was reached via skipping. In this case
+	 * there is no nead for the index_getnext_tid
+	 */
+	bool skipped = false;
 
 	/*
 	 * extract necessary information from index scan node
@@ -92,7 +99,7 @@ IndexNext(IndexScanState *node)
 	estate = node->ss.ps.state;
 	direction = estate->es_direction;
 	/* flip direction if this is an overall backward scan */
-	if (ScanDirectionIsBackward(((IndexScan *) node->ss.ps.plan)->indexorderdir))
+	if (ScanDirectionIsBackward(indexscan->indexorderdir))
 	{
 		if (ScanDirectionIsForward(direction))
 			direction = BackwardScanDirection;
@@ -117,6 +124,12 @@ IndexNext(IndexScanState *node)
 
 		node->iss_ScanDesc = scandesc;
 
+		/* Index skip scan assumes xs_want_itup, so set it to true */
+		if (indexscan->indexskipprefixsize > 0)
+			node->iss_ScanDesc->xs_want_itup = true;
+		else
+			node->iss_ScanDesc->xs_want_itup = false;
+
 		/*
 		 * If no run-time keys to calculate or they are ready, go ahead and
 		 * pass the scankeys to the index AM.
@@ -127,12 +140,48 @@ IndexNext(IndexScanState *node)
 						 node->iss_OrderByKeys, node->iss_NumOrderByKeys);
 	}
 
+	/*
+	 * Check if we need to skip to the next key prefix, because we've been
+	 * asked to implement DISTINCT.
+	 *
+	 * When fetching a cursor in the direction opposite to a general scan
+	 * direction, the result must be what normal fetching should have
+	 * returned, but in reversed order. In other words, return the last or
+	 * first scanned tuple in a DISTINCT set, depending on a cursor direction.
+	 * Due to that we skip also when the first tuple wasn't emitted yet, but
+	 * the directions are opposite.
+	 */
+	if (node->iss_SkipPrefixSize > 0 &&
+		(node->iss_FirstTupleEmitted ||
+		 ScanDirectionsAreOpposite(direction, indexscan->indexorderdir)))
+	{
+		if (!index_skip(scandesc, direction, indexscan->indexorderdir,
+					   !node->iss_FirstTupleEmitted, node->iss_SkipPrefixSize))
+		{
+			/*
+			 * Reached end of index. At this point currPos is invalidated, and
+			 * we need to reset iss_FirstTupleEmitted, since otherwise after
+			 * going backwards, reaching the end of index, and going forward
+			 * again we apply skip again. It would be incorrect and lead to an
+			 * extra skipped item.
+			 */
+			node->iss_FirstTupleEmitted = false;
+			return ExecClearTuple(slot);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			skipped = true;
+			index_fetch_heap(scandesc, slot);
+		}
+	}
+
 	/*
 	 * ok, now that we have what we need, fetch the next tuple.
 	 */
-	while (index_getnext_slot(scandesc, direction, slot))
+	while (skipped || index_getnext_slot(scandesc, direction, slot))
 	{
 		CHECK_FOR_INTERRUPTS();
+		skipped = false;
 
 		/*
 		 * If the index was lossy, we have to recheck the index quals using
@@ -149,6 +198,7 @@ IndexNext(IndexScanState *node)
 			}
 		}
 
+		node->iss_FirstTupleEmitted = true;
 		return slot;
 	}
 
@@ -910,6 +960,8 @@ ExecInitIndexScan(IndexScan *node, EState *estate, int eflags)
 	indexstate->ss.ps.plan = (Plan *) node;
 	indexstate->ss.ps.state = estate;
 	indexstate->ss.ps.ExecProcNode = ExecIndexScan;
+	indexstate->iss_SkipPrefixSize = node->indexskipprefixsize;
+	indexstate->iss_FirstTupleEmitted = false;
 
 	/*
 	 * Miscellaneous initialization
diff --git a/src/backend/nodes/copyfuncs.c b/src/backend/nodes/copyfuncs.c
index 54ad62bb7f..e0cfd710c4 100644
--- a/src/backend/nodes/copyfuncs.c
+++ b/src/backend/nodes/copyfuncs.c
@@ -493,6 +493,7 @@ _copyIndexScan(const IndexScan *from)
 	COPY_NODE_FIELD(indexorderbyorig);
 	COPY_NODE_FIELD(indexorderbyops);
 	COPY_SCALAR_FIELD(indexorderdir);
+	COPY_SCALAR_FIELD(indexskipprefixsize);
 
 	return newnode;
 }
@@ -518,6 +519,7 @@ _copyIndexOnlyScan(const IndexOnlyScan *from)
 	COPY_NODE_FIELD(indexorderby);
 	COPY_NODE_FIELD(indextlist);
 	COPY_SCALAR_FIELD(indexorderdir);
+	COPY_SCALAR_FIELD(indexskipprefixsize);
 
 	return newnode;
 }
diff --git a/src/backend/nodes/outfuncs.c b/src/backend/nodes/outfuncs.c
index 16083e7a7e..5f723cda4b 100644
--- a/src/backend/nodes/outfuncs.c
+++ b/src/backend/nodes/outfuncs.c
@@ -562,6 +562,7 @@ _outIndexScan(StringInfo str, const IndexScan *node)
 	WRITE_NODE_FIELD(indexorderbyorig);
 	WRITE_NODE_FIELD(indexorderbyops);
 	WRITE_ENUM_FIELD(indexorderdir, ScanDirection);
+	WRITE_INT_FIELD(indexskipprefixsize);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -576,6 +577,7 @@ _outIndexOnlyScan(StringInfo str, const IndexOnlyScan *node)
 	WRITE_NODE_FIELD(indexorderby);
 	WRITE_NODE_FIELD(indextlist);
 	WRITE_ENUM_FIELD(indexorderdir, ScanDirection);
+	WRITE_INT_FIELD(indexskipprefixsize);
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/src/backend/nodes/readfuncs.c b/src/backend/nodes/readfuncs.c
index 551ce6c41c..028d03a56d 100644
--- a/src/backend/nodes/readfuncs.c
+++ b/src/backend/nodes/readfuncs.c
@@ -1820,6 +1820,7 @@ _readIndexScan(void)
 	READ_NODE_FIELD(indexorderbyorig);
 	READ_NODE_FIELD(indexorderbyops);
 	READ_ENUM_FIELD(indexorderdir, ScanDirection);
+	READ_INT_FIELD(indexskipprefixsize);
 
 	READ_DONE();
 }
@@ -1839,6 +1840,7 @@ _readIndexOnlyScan(void)
 	READ_NODE_FIELD(indexorderby);
 	READ_NODE_FIELD(indextlist);
 	READ_ENUM_FIELD(indexorderdir, ScanDirection);
+	READ_INT_FIELD(indexskipprefixsize);
 
 	READ_DONE();
 }
diff --git a/src/backend/optimizer/path/costsize.c b/src/backend/optimizer/path/costsize.c
index b5a0033721..710edf160a 100644
--- a/src/backend/optimizer/path/costsize.c
+++ b/src/backend/optimizer/path/costsize.c
@@ -124,6 +124,7 @@ int			max_parallel_workers_per_gather = 2;
 bool		enable_seqscan = true;
 bool		enable_indexscan = true;
 bool		enable_indexonlyscan = true;
+bool		enable_indexskipscan = true;
 bool		enable_bitmapscan = true;
 bool		enable_tidscan = true;
 bool		enable_sort = true;
diff --git a/src/backend/optimizer/plan/createplan.c b/src/backend/optimizer/plan/createplan.c
index dff826a828..7b32f2cc7e 100644
--- a/src/backend/optimizer/plan/createplan.c
+++ b/src/backend/optimizer/plan/createplan.c
@@ -175,12 +175,14 @@ static IndexScan *make_indexscan(List *qptlist, List *qpqual, Index scanrelid,
 								 Oid indexid, List *indexqual, List *indexqualorig,
 								 List *indexorderby, List *indexorderbyorig,
 								 List *indexorderbyops,
-								 ScanDirection indexscandir);
+								 ScanDirection indexscandir,
+								 int skipprefix);
 static IndexOnlyScan *make_indexonlyscan(List *qptlist, List *qpqual,
 										 Index scanrelid, Oid indexid,
 										 List *indexqual, List *indexorderby,
 										 List *indextlist,
-										 ScanDirection indexscandir);
+										 ScanDirection indexscandir,
+										 int skipprefix);
 static BitmapIndexScan *make_bitmap_indexscan(Index scanrelid, Oid indexid,
 											  List *indexqual,
 											  List *indexqualorig);
@@ -2910,7 +2912,8 @@ create_indexscan_plan(PlannerInfo *root,
 												fixed_indexquals,
 												fixed_indexorderbys,
 												best_path->indexinfo->indextlist,
-												best_path->indexscandir);
+												best_path->indexscandir,
+												best_path->indexskipprefix);
 	else
 		scan_plan = (Scan *) make_indexscan(tlist,
 											qpqual,
@@ -2921,7 +2924,8 @@ create_indexscan_plan(PlannerInfo *root,
 											fixed_indexorderbys,
 											indexorderbys,
 											indexorderbyops,
-											best_path->indexscandir);
+											best_path->indexscandir,
+											best_path->indexskipprefix);
 
 	copy_generic_path_info(&scan_plan->plan, &best_path->path);
 
@@ -5184,7 +5188,8 @@ make_indexscan(List *qptlist,
 			   List *indexorderby,
 			   List *indexorderbyorig,
 			   List *indexorderbyops,
-			   ScanDirection indexscandir)
+			   ScanDirection indexscandir,
+			   int skipPrefixSize)
 {
 	IndexScan  *node = makeNode(IndexScan);
 	Plan	   *plan = &node->scan.plan;
@@ -5201,6 +5206,7 @@ make_indexscan(List *qptlist,
 	node->indexorderbyorig = indexorderbyorig;
 	node->indexorderbyops = indexorderbyops;
 	node->indexorderdir = indexscandir;
+	node->indexskipprefixsize = skipPrefixSize;
 
 	return node;
 }
@@ -5213,7 +5219,8 @@ make_indexonlyscan(List *qptlist,
 				   List *indexqual,
 				   List *indexorderby,
 				   List *indextlist,
-				   ScanDirection indexscandir)
+				   ScanDirection indexscandir,
+				   int skipPrefixSize)
 {
 	IndexOnlyScan *node = makeNode(IndexOnlyScan);
 	Plan	   *plan = &node->scan.plan;
@@ -5228,6 +5235,7 @@ make_indexonlyscan(List *qptlist,
 	node->indexorderby = indexorderby;
 	node->indextlist = indextlist;
 	node->indexorderdir = indexscandir;
+	node->indexskipprefixsize = skipPrefixSize;
 
 	return node;
 }
diff --git a/src/backend/optimizer/plan/planner.c b/src/backend/optimizer/plan/planner.c
index 984fca0696..c84388e6f7 100644
--- a/src/backend/optimizer/plan/planner.c
+++ b/src/backend/optimizer/plan/planner.c
@@ -4834,6 +4834,82 @@ create_distinct_paths(PlannerInfo *root,
 												  path,
 												  list_length(root->distinct_pathkeys),
 												  numDistinctRows));
+
+				/* Consider index skip scan as well */
+				if (enable_indexskipscan &&
+					IsA(path, IndexPath) &&
+					((IndexPath *) path)->indexinfo->amcanskip &&
+					root->distinct_pathkeys != NIL)
+				{
+					ListCell   		*lc;
+					IndexOptInfo 	*index = NULL;
+					bool 			different_columns_order = false,
+									not_empty_qual = false;
+					int 			i = 0;
+					int 			distinctPrefixKeys;
+
+					Assert(path->pathtype == T_IndexOnlyScan ||
+						   path->pathtype == T_IndexScan);
+
+					index = ((IndexPath *) path)->indexinfo;
+					distinctPrefixKeys = list_length(root->query_uniquekeys);
+
+					/*
+					 * Normally we can think about distinctPrefixKeys as just
+					 * a number of distinct keys. But if lets say we have a
+					 * distinct key a, and the index contains b, a in exactly
+					 * this order. In such situation we need to use position
+					 * of a in the index as distinctPrefixKeys, otherwise skip
+					 * will happen only by the first column.
+					 */
+					foreach(lc, root->query_uniquekeys)
+					{
+						UniqueKey *uniquekey = (UniqueKey *) lfirst(lc);
+						EquivalenceMember *em =
+							lfirst_node(EquivalenceMember,
+										list_head(uniquekey->eq_clause->ec_members));
+						Var *var = (Var *) em->em_expr;
+
+						Assert(i < index->ncolumns);
+
+						for (i = 0; i < index->ncolumns; i++)
+						{
+							if (index->indexkeys[i] == var->varattno)
+							{
+								distinctPrefixKeys = Max(i + 1, distinctPrefixKeys);
+								break;
+							}
+						}
+					}
+
+					/*
+					 * XXX: In case of index scan quals evaluation happens
+					 * after ExecScanFetch, which means skip results could be
+					 * fitered out. Consider the following query:
+					 *
+					 * 		select distinct (a, b) a, b, c from t where  c < 100;
+					 *
+					 * Skip scan returns one tuple for one distinct set of (a,
+					 * b) with arbitrary one of c, so if the choosed c does
+					 * not match the qual and there is any c that matches the
+					 * qual, we miss that tuple.
+					 */
+					if (path->pathtype == T_IndexScan &&
+						parse->jointree != NULL &&
+						parse->jointree->quals != NULL &&
+						list_length((List *) parse->jointree->quals) != 0)
+							not_empty_qual = true;
+
+					if (!different_columns_order &&	!not_empty_qual)
+					{
+						add_path(distinct_rel, (Path *)
+								 create_skipscan_unique_path(root,
+															 distinct_rel,
+															 path,
+															 distinctPrefixKeys,
+															 numDistinctRows));
+					}
+				}
 			}
 		}
 
diff --git a/src/backend/optimizer/util/pathnode.c b/src/backend/optimizer/util/pathnode.c
index a006dbbe9c..2fb18fb372 100644
--- a/src/backend/optimizer/util/pathnode.c
+++ b/src/backend/optimizer/util/pathnode.c
@@ -2915,6 +2915,46 @@ create_upper_unique_path(PlannerInfo *root,
 	return pathnode;
 }
 
+/*
+ * create_skipscan_unique_path
+ *	  Creates a pathnode the same as an existing IndexPath except based on
+ *	  skipping duplicate values.  This may or may not be cheaper than using
+ *	  create_upper_unique_path.
+ *
+ * The input path must be an IndexPath for an index that supports amskip.
+ */
+IndexPath *
+create_skipscan_unique_path(PlannerInfo *root,
+							RelOptInfo *rel,
+							Path *basepath,
+							int distinctPrefixKeys,
+							double numGroups)
+{
+	IndexPath *pathnode = makeNode(IndexPath);
+
+	Assert(IsA(basepath, IndexPath));
+
+	/* We don't want to modify basepath, so make a copy. */
+	memcpy(pathnode, basepath, sizeof(IndexPath));
+
+	/* The size of the prefix we'll use for skipping. */
+	Assert(pathnode->indexinfo->amcanskip);
+	Assert(distinctPrefixKeys > 0);
+	/*Assert(distinctPrefixKeys <= list_length(pathnode->path.pathkeys));*/
+	pathnode->indexskipprefix = distinctPrefixKeys;
+
+	/*
+	 * The cost to skip to each distinct value should be roughly the same as
+	 * the cost of finding the first key times the number of distinct values
+	 * we expect to find.
+	 */
+	pathnode->path.startup_cost = basepath->startup_cost;
+	pathnode->path.total_cost = basepath->startup_cost * numGroups;
+	pathnode->path.rows = numGroups;
+
+	return pathnode;
+}
+
 /*
  * create_agg_path
  *	  Creates a pathnode that represents performing aggregation/grouping
diff --git a/src/backend/optimizer/util/plancat.c b/src/backend/optimizer/util/plancat.c
index d82fc5ab8b..f65b299f37 100644
--- a/src/backend/optimizer/util/plancat.c
+++ b/src/backend/optimizer/util/plancat.c
@@ -271,6 +271,7 @@ get_relation_info(PlannerInfo *root, Oid relationObjectId, bool inhparent,
 			info->amoptionalkey = amroutine->amoptionalkey;
 			info->amsearcharray = amroutine->amsearcharray;
 			info->amsearchnulls = amroutine->amsearchnulls;
+			info->amcanskip = (amroutine->amskip != NULL);
 			info->amcanparallel = amroutine->amcanparallel;
 			info->amhasgettuple = (amroutine->amgettuple != NULL);
 			info->amhasgetbitmap = amroutine->amgetbitmap != NULL &&
diff --git a/src/backend/utils/misc/guc.c b/src/backend/utils/misc/guc.c
index e44f71e991..884cdec916 100644
--- a/src/backend/utils/misc/guc.c
+++ b/src/backend/utils/misc/guc.c
@@ -922,6 +922,15 @@ static struct config_bool ConfigureNamesBool[] =
 		true,
 		NULL, NULL, NULL
 	},
+	{
+		{"enable_indexskipscan", PGC_USERSET, QUERY_TUNING_METHOD,
+			gettext_noop("Enables the planner's use of index-skip-scan plans."),
+			NULL
+		},
+		&enable_indexskipscan,
+		true,
+		NULL, NULL, NULL
+	},
 	{
 		{"enable_bitmapscan", PGC_USERSET, QUERY_TUNING_METHOD,
 			gettext_noop("Enables the planner's use of bitmap-scan plans."),
diff --git a/src/backend/utils/misc/postgresql.conf.sample b/src/backend/utils/misc/postgresql.conf.sample
index e1048c0047..a002ee2143 100644
--- a/src/backend/utils/misc/postgresql.conf.sample
+++ b/src/backend/utils/misc/postgresql.conf.sample
@@ -353,6 +353,7 @@
 #enable_hashjoin = on
 #enable_indexscan = on
 #enable_indexonlyscan = on
+#enable_indexskipscan = on
 #enable_material = on
 #enable_mergejoin = on
 #enable_nestloop = on
diff --git a/src/include/access/amapi.h b/src/include/access/amapi.h
index 3b3e22f73d..3d39cd9d07 100644
--- a/src/include/access/amapi.h
+++ b/src/include/access/amapi.h
@@ -130,6 +130,13 @@ typedef void (*amrescan_function) (IndexScanDesc scan,
 typedef bool (*amgettuple_function) (IndexScanDesc scan,
 									 ScanDirection direction);
 
+/* skip past duplicates in a given prefix */
+typedef bool (*amskip_function) (IndexScanDesc scan,
+								 ScanDirection dir,
+								 ScanDirection indexdir,
+								 bool start,
+								 int prefix);
+
 /* fetch all valid tuples */
 typedef int64 (*amgetbitmap_function) (IndexScanDesc scan,
 									   TIDBitmap *tbm);
@@ -229,6 +236,7 @@ typedef struct IndexAmRoutine
 	amendscan_function amendscan;
 	ammarkpos_function ammarkpos;	/* can be NULL */
 	amrestrpos_function amrestrpos; /* can be NULL */
+	amskip_function amskip;				/* can be NULL */
 
 	/* interface functions to support parallel index scans */
 	amestimateparallelscan_function amestimateparallelscan; /* can be NULL */
diff --git a/src/include/access/genam.h b/src/include/access/genam.h
index 7e9364a50c..815de4e4dd 100644
--- a/src/include/access/genam.h
+++ b/src/include/access/genam.h
@@ -180,6 +180,8 @@ extern IndexBulkDeleteResult *index_bulk_delete(IndexVacuumInfo *info,
 extern IndexBulkDeleteResult *index_vacuum_cleanup(IndexVacuumInfo *info,
 												   IndexBulkDeleteResult *stats);
 extern bool index_can_return(Relation indexRelation, int attno);
+extern bool index_skip(IndexScanDesc scan, ScanDirection direction,
+					   ScanDirection indexdir, bool start, int prefix);
 extern RegProcedure index_getprocid(Relation irel, AttrNumber attnum,
 									uint16 procnum);
 extern FmgrInfo *index_getprocinfo(Relation irel, AttrNumber attnum,
diff --git a/src/include/access/nbtree.h b/src/include/access/nbtree.h
index 20ace69dab..e098c6a1ab 100644
--- a/src/include/access/nbtree.h
+++ b/src/include/access/nbtree.h
@@ -662,6 +662,9 @@ typedef struct BTScanOpaqueData
 	 */
 	int			markItemIndex;	/* itemIndex, or -1 if not valid */
 
+	/* Work space for _bt_skip */
+	BTScanInsert	skipScanKey;	/* used to control skipping */
+
 	/* keep these last in struct for efficiency */
 	BTScanPosData currPos;		/* current position data */
 	BTScanPosData markPos;		/* marked position, if any */
@@ -793,6 +796,8 @@ extern OffsetNumber _bt_binsrch_insert(Relation rel, BTInsertState insertstate);
 extern int32 _bt_compare(Relation rel, BTScanInsert key, Page page, OffsetNumber offnum);
 extern bool _bt_first(IndexScanDesc scan, ScanDirection dir);
 extern bool _bt_next(IndexScanDesc scan, ScanDirection dir);
+extern bool _bt_skip(IndexScanDesc scan, ScanDirection dir,
+					 ScanDirection indexdir, bool start, int prefix);
 extern Buffer _bt_get_endpoint(Relation rel, uint32 level, bool rightmost,
 							   Snapshot snapshot);
 
@@ -817,6 +822,8 @@ extern void _bt_end_vacuum_callback(int code, Datum arg);
 extern Size BTreeShmemSize(void);
 extern void BTreeShmemInit(void);
 extern bytea *btoptions(Datum reloptions, bool validate);
+extern bool btskip(IndexScanDesc scan, ScanDirection dir,
+				   ScanDirection indexdir, bool start, int prefix);
 extern bool btproperty(Oid index_oid, int attno,
 					   IndexAMProperty prop, const char *propname,
 					   bool *res, bool *isnull);
diff --git a/src/include/access/sdir.h b/src/include/access/sdir.h
index 23feb90986..094a127464 100644
--- a/src/include/access/sdir.h
+++ b/src/include/access/sdir.h
@@ -55,4 +55,11 @@ typedef enum ScanDirection
 #define ScanDirectionIsForward(direction) \
 	((bool) ((direction) == ForwardScanDirection))
 
+/*
+ * ScanDirectionsAreOpposite
+ *		True iff scan directions are backward/forward or forward/backward.
+ */
+#define ScanDirectionsAreOpposite(dirA, dirB) \
+	((bool) (dirA != NoMovementScanDirection && dirA == -dirB))
+
 #endif							/* SDIR_H */
diff --git a/src/include/nodes/execnodes.h b/src/include/nodes/execnodes.h
index 1f6f5bbc20..2c6acc160a 100644
--- a/src/include/nodes/execnodes.h
+++ b/src/include/nodes/execnodes.h
@@ -1423,6 +1423,8 @@ typedef struct IndexScanState
 	ExprContext *iss_RuntimeContext;
 	Relation	iss_RelationDesc;
 	struct IndexScanDescData *iss_ScanDesc;
+	int         iss_SkipPrefixSize;
+	bool		iss_FirstTupleEmitted;
 
 	/* These are needed for re-checking ORDER BY expr ordering */
 	pairingheap *iss_ReorderQueue;
@@ -1452,6 +1454,8 @@ typedef struct IndexScanState
  *		TableSlot		   slot for holding tuples fetched from the table
  *		VMBuffer		   buffer in use for visibility map testing, if any
  *		PscanLen		   size of parallel index-only scan descriptor
+ *		SkipPrefixSize	   number of keys for skip-based DISTINCT
+ *		FirstTupleEmitted  has the first tuple been emitted
  * ----------------
  */
 typedef struct IndexOnlyScanState
@@ -1470,6 +1474,8 @@ typedef struct IndexOnlyScanState
 	struct IndexScanDescData *ioss_ScanDesc;
 	TupleTableSlot *ioss_TableSlot;
 	Buffer		ioss_VMBuffer;
+	int         ioss_SkipPrefixSize;
+	bool		ioss_FirstTupleEmitted;
 	Size		ioss_PscanLen;
 } IndexOnlyScanState;
 
diff --git a/src/include/nodes/pathnodes.h b/src/include/nodes/pathnodes.h
index 4e329f0fb5..b0ff9ca3a8 100644
--- a/src/include/nodes/pathnodes.h
+++ b/src/include/nodes/pathnodes.h
@@ -839,6 +839,7 @@ struct IndexOptInfo
 	bool		amsearchnulls;	/* can AM search for NULL/NOT NULL entries? */
 	bool		amhasgettuple;	/* does AM have amgettuple interface? */
 	bool		amhasgetbitmap; /* does AM have amgetbitmap interface? */
+	bool		amcanskip;		/* can AM skip duplicate values? */
 	bool		amcanparallel;	/* does AM support parallel scan? */
 	/* Rather than include amapi.h here, we declare amcostestimate like this */
 	void		(*amcostestimate) ();	/* AM's cost estimator */
@@ -1189,6 +1190,9 @@ typedef struct Path
  * we need not recompute them when considering using the same index in a
  * bitmap index/heap scan (see BitmapHeapPath).  The costs of the IndexPath
  * itself represent the costs of an IndexScan or IndexOnlyScan plan type.
+ *
+ * 'indexskipprefix' represents the number of columns to consider for skip
+ * scans.
  *----------
  */
 typedef struct IndexPath
@@ -1201,6 +1205,7 @@ typedef struct IndexPath
 	ScanDirection indexscandir;
 	Cost		indextotalcost;
 	Selectivity indexselectivity;
+	int			indexskipprefix;
 } IndexPath;
 
 /*
diff --git a/src/include/nodes/plannodes.h b/src/include/nodes/plannodes.h
index 32c0d87f80..03a00e8e1d 100644
--- a/src/include/nodes/plannodes.h
+++ b/src/include/nodes/plannodes.h
@@ -409,6 +409,8 @@ typedef struct IndexScan
 	List	   *indexorderbyorig;	/* the same in original form */
 	List	   *indexorderbyops;	/* OIDs of sort ops for ORDER BY exprs */
 	ScanDirection indexorderdir;	/* forward or backward or don't care */
+	int			indexskipprefixsize;	/* the size of the prefix for distinct
+										 * scans */
 } IndexScan;
 
 /* ----------------
@@ -436,6 +438,8 @@ typedef struct IndexOnlyScan
 	List	   *indexorderby;	/* list of index ORDER BY exprs */
 	List	   *indextlist;		/* TargetEntry list describing index's cols */
 	ScanDirection indexorderdir;	/* forward or backward or don't care */
+	int			indexskipprefixsize;	/* the size of the prefix for distinct
+										 * scans */
 } IndexOnlyScan;
 
 /* ----------------
diff --git a/src/include/optimizer/cost.h b/src/include/optimizer/cost.h
index cb012ba198..847f34f02b 100644
--- a/src/include/optimizer/cost.h
+++ b/src/include/optimizer/cost.h
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ extern PGDLLIMPORT int max_parallel_workers_per_gather;
 extern PGDLLIMPORT bool enable_seqscan;
 extern PGDLLIMPORT bool enable_indexscan;
 extern PGDLLIMPORT bool enable_indexonlyscan;
+extern PGDLLIMPORT bool enable_indexskipscan;
 extern PGDLLIMPORT bool enable_bitmapscan;
 extern PGDLLIMPORT bool enable_tidscan;
 extern PGDLLIMPORT bool enable_sort;
diff --git a/src/include/optimizer/pathnode.h b/src/include/optimizer/pathnode.h
index f75ff6f323..6c8c9dadbb 100644
--- a/src/include/optimizer/pathnode.h
+++ b/src/include/optimizer/pathnode.h
@@ -201,6 +201,11 @@ extern UpperUniquePath *create_upper_unique_path(PlannerInfo *root,
 												 Path *subpath,
 												 int numCols,
 												 double numGroups);
+extern IndexPath *create_skipscan_unique_path(PlannerInfo *root,
+											  RelOptInfo *rel,
+											  Path *subpath,
+											  int numCols,
+											  double numGroups);
 extern AggPath *create_agg_path(PlannerInfo *root,
 								RelOptInfo *rel,
 								Path *subpath,
diff --git a/src/test/regress/expected/select_distinct.out b/src/test/regress/expected/select_distinct.out
index f3696c6d1d..51e12ac925 100644
--- a/src/test/regress/expected/select_distinct.out
+++ b/src/test/regress/expected/select_distinct.out
@@ -244,3 +244,508 @@ SELECT null IS NOT DISTINCT FROM null as "yes";
  t
 (1 row)
 
+-- index only skip scan
+CREATE TABLE distinct_a (a int, b int, c int);
+INSERT INTO distinct_a (
+    SELECT five, tenthous, 10 FROM
+    generate_series(1, 5) five,
+    generate_series(1, 10000) tenthous
+);
+CREATE INDEX ON distinct_a (a, b);
+ANALYZE distinct_a;
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a;
+ a 
+---
+ 1
+ 2
+ 3
+ 4
+ 5
+(5 rows)
+
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a WHERE a = 1;
+ a 
+---
+ 1
+(1 row)
+
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a ORDER BY a DESC;
+ a 
+---
+ 5
+ 4
+ 3
+ 2
+ 1
+(5 rows)
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a;
+                       QUERY PLAN                       
+--------------------------------------------------------
+ Index Only Scan using distinct_a_a_b_idx on distinct_a
+   Skip scan: true
+(2 rows)
+
+-- test index skip scan with a condition on a non unique field
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+ a | b 
+---+---
+ 1 | 2
+ 2 | 2
+ 3 | 2
+ 4 | 2
+ 5 | 2
+(5 rows)
+
+-- test index skip scan backwards
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b FROM distinct_a ORDER BY a DESC, b DESC;
+ a |   b   
+---+-------
+ 5 | 10000
+ 4 | 10000
+ 3 | 10000
+ 2 | 10000
+ 1 | 10000
+(5 rows)
+
+-- check colums order
+CREATE INDEX distinct_a_b_a on distinct_a (b, a);
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+ a 
+---
+ 1
+ 2
+ 3
+ 4
+ 5
+(5 rows)
+
+SELECT DISTINCT on (a, b) a, b FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+ a | b 
+---+---
+ 1 | 2
+ 2 | 2
+ 3 | 2
+ 4 | 2
+ 5 | 2
+(5 rows)
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+                     QUERY PLAN                     
+----------------------------------------------------
+ Index Only Scan using distinct_a_b_a on distinct_a
+   Skip scan: true
+   Index Cond: (b = 2)
+(3 rows)
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT on (a, b) a, b FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+                     QUERY PLAN                     
+----------------------------------------------------
+ Index Only Scan using distinct_a_b_a on distinct_a
+   Skip scan: true
+   Index Cond: (b = 2)
+(3 rows)
+
+DROP INDEX distinct_a_b_a;
+-- test opposite scan/index directions inside a cursor
+-- forward/backward
+BEGIN;
+DECLARE c SCROLL CURSOR FOR
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a,b FROM distinct_a ORDER BY a, b;
+FETCH FROM c;
+ a | b 
+---+---
+ 1 | 1
+(1 row)
+
+FETCH BACKWARD FROM c;
+ a | b 
+---+---
+(0 rows)
+
+FETCH 6 FROM c;
+ a | b 
+---+---
+ 1 | 1
+ 2 | 1
+ 3 | 1
+ 4 | 1
+ 5 | 1
+(5 rows)
+
+FETCH BACKWARD 6 FROM c;
+ a | b 
+---+---
+ 5 | 1
+ 4 | 1
+ 3 | 1
+ 2 | 1
+ 1 | 1
+(5 rows)
+
+FETCH 6 FROM c;
+ a | b 
+---+---
+ 1 | 1
+ 2 | 1
+ 3 | 1
+ 4 | 1
+ 5 | 1
+(5 rows)
+
+FETCH BACKWARD 6 FROM c;
+ a | b 
+---+---
+ 5 | 1
+ 4 | 1
+ 3 | 1
+ 2 | 1
+ 1 | 1
+(5 rows)
+
+END;
+-- backward/forward
+BEGIN;
+DECLARE c SCROLL CURSOR FOR
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a,b FROM distinct_a ORDER BY a DESC, b DESC;
+FETCH FROM c;
+ a |   b   
+---+-------
+ 5 | 10000
+(1 row)
+
+FETCH BACKWARD FROM c;
+ a | b 
+---+---
+(0 rows)
+
+FETCH 6 FROM c;
+ a |   b   
+---+-------
+ 5 | 10000
+ 4 | 10000
+ 3 | 10000
+ 2 | 10000
+ 1 | 10000
+(5 rows)
+
+FETCH BACKWARD 6 FROM c;
+ a |   b   
+---+-------
+ 1 | 10000
+ 2 | 10000
+ 3 | 10000
+ 4 | 10000
+ 5 | 10000
+(5 rows)
+
+FETCH 6 FROM c;
+ a |   b   
+---+-------
+ 5 | 10000
+ 4 | 10000
+ 3 | 10000
+ 2 | 10000
+ 1 | 10000
+(5 rows)
+
+FETCH BACKWARD 6 FROM c;
+ a |   b   
+---+-------
+ 1 | 10000
+ 2 | 10000
+ 3 | 10000
+ 4 | 10000
+ 5 | 10000
+(5 rows)
+
+END;
+-- test missing values and skipping from the end
+CREATE TABLE distinct_abc(a int, b int, c int);
+CREATE INDEX ON distinct_abc(a, b, c);
+INSERT INTO distinct_abc
+	VALUES (1, 1, 1),
+		   (1, 1, 2),
+		   (1, 2, 2),
+		   (1, 2, 3),
+		   (2, 2, 1),
+		   (2, 2, 3),
+		   (3, 1, 1),
+		   (3, 1, 2),
+		   (3, 2, 2),
+		   (3, 2, 3);
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a,b,c FROM distinct_abc WHERE c = 2;
+                          QUERY PLAN                          
+--------------------------------------------------------------
+ Index Only Scan using distinct_abc_a_b_c_idx on distinct_abc
+   Skip scan: true
+   Index Cond: (c = 2)
+(3 rows)
+
+BEGIN;
+DECLARE c SCROLL CURSOR FOR
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a,b,c FROM distinct_abc WHERE c = 2;
+FETCH ALL FROM c;
+ a | b | c 
+---+---+---
+ 1 | 1 | 2
+ 3 | 1 | 2
+(2 rows)
+
+FETCH BACKWARD ALL FROM c;
+ a | b | c 
+---+---+---
+ 3 | 1 | 2
+ 1 | 1 | 2
+(2 rows)
+
+END;
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a,b,c FROM distinct_abc WHERE c = 2
+ORDER BY a DESC, b DESC;
+                              QUERY PLAN                               
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Index Only Scan Backward using distinct_abc_a_b_c_idx on distinct_abc
+   Skip scan: true
+   Index Cond: (c = 2)
+(3 rows)
+
+BEGIN;
+DECLARE c SCROLL CURSOR FOR
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a,b,c FROM distinct_abc WHERE c = 2
+ORDER BY a DESC, b DESC;
+FETCH ALL FROM c;
+ a | b | c 
+---+---+---
+ 3 | 2 | 2
+ 1 | 2 | 2
+(2 rows)
+
+FETCH BACKWARD ALL FROM c;
+ a | b | c 
+---+---+---
+ 1 | 2 | 2
+ 3 | 2 | 2
+(2 rows)
+
+END;
+DROP TABLE distinct_abc;
+-- index skip scan
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b, c
+FROM distinct_a ORDER BY a;
+ a | b | c  
+---+---+----
+ 1 | 1 | 10
+ 2 | 1 | 10
+ 3 | 1 | 10
+ 4 | 1 | 10
+ 5 | 1 | 10
+(5 rows)
+
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b, c
+FROM distinct_a WHERE a = 1 ORDER BY a;
+ a | b | c  
+---+---+----
+ 1 | 1 | 10
+(1 row)
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b, c
+FROM distinct_a ORDER BY a;
+                    QUERY PLAN                     
+---------------------------------------------------
+ Index Scan using distinct_a_a_b_idx on distinct_a
+   Skip scan: true
+(2 rows)
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b, c
+FROM distinct_a WHERE a = 1 ORDER BY a;
+                     QUERY PLAN                      
+-----------------------------------------------------
+ Unique
+   ->  Bitmap Heap Scan on distinct_a
+         Recheck Cond: (a = 1)
+         ->  Bitmap Index Scan on distinct_a_a_b_idx
+               Index Cond: (a = 1)
+(5 rows)
+
+-- check colums order
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2 AND c = 10;
+ a 
+---
+ 1
+ 2
+ 3
+ 4
+ 5
+(5 rows)
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2 AND c = 10;
+                       QUERY PLAN                        
+---------------------------------------------------------
+ Unique
+   ->  Index Scan using distinct_a_a_b_idx on distinct_a
+         Index Cond: (b = 2)
+         Filter: (c = 10)
+(4 rows)
+
+-- check projection case
+SELECT DISTINCT a, a FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+ a | a 
+---+---
+ 1 | 1
+ 2 | 2
+ 3 | 3
+ 4 | 4
+ 5 | 5
+(5 rows)
+
+SELECT DISTINCT a, 1 FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+ a | ?column? 
+---+----------
+ 1 |        1
+ 2 |        1
+ 3 |        1
+ 4 |        1
+ 5 |        1
+(5 rows)
+
+-- test cursor forward/backward movements
+BEGIN;
+DECLARE c SCROLL CURSOR FOR SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a;
+FETCH FROM c;
+ a 
+---
+ 1
+(1 row)
+
+FETCH BACKWARD FROM c;
+ a 
+---
+(0 rows)
+
+FETCH 6 FROM c;
+ a 
+---
+ 1
+ 2
+ 3
+ 4
+ 5
+(5 rows)
+
+FETCH BACKWARD 6 FROM c;
+ a 
+---
+ 5
+ 4
+ 3
+ 2
+ 1
+(5 rows)
+
+FETCH 6 FROM c;
+ a 
+---
+ 1
+ 2
+ 3
+ 4
+ 5
+(5 rows)
+
+FETCH BACKWARD 6 FROM c;
+ a 
+---
+ 5
+ 4
+ 3
+ 2
+ 1
+(5 rows)
+
+END;
+DROP TABLE distinct_a;
+-- test tuples visibility
+CREATE TABLE distinct_visibility (a int, b int);
+INSERT INTO distinct_visibility (select a, b from generate_series(1,5) a, generate_series(1, 10000) b);
+CREATE INDEX ON distinct_visibility (a, b);
+ANALYZE distinct_visibility;
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b FROM distinct_visibility ORDER BY a, b;
+ a | b 
+---+---
+ 1 | 1
+ 2 | 1
+ 3 | 1
+ 4 | 1
+ 5 | 1
+(5 rows)
+
+DELETE FROM distinct_visibility WHERE a = 2 and b = 1;
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b FROM distinct_visibility ORDER BY a, b;
+ a | b 
+---+---
+ 1 | 1
+ 2 | 2
+ 3 | 1
+ 4 | 1
+ 5 | 1
+(5 rows)
+
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b FROM distinct_visibility ORDER BY a DESC, b DESC;
+ a |   b   
+---+-------
+ 5 | 10000
+ 4 | 10000
+ 3 | 10000
+ 2 | 10000
+ 1 | 10000
+(5 rows)
+
+DELETE FROM distinct_visibility WHERE a = 2 and b = 10000;
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b FROM distinct_visibility ORDER BY a DESC, b DESC;
+ a |   b   
+---+-------
+ 5 | 10000
+ 4 | 10000
+ 3 | 10000
+ 2 |  9999
+ 1 | 10000
+(5 rows)
+
+DROP TABLE distinct_visibility;
+-- test page boundaries
+CREATE TABLE distinct_boundaries AS
+    SELECT a, b::int2 b, (b % 2)::int2 c FROM
+        generate_series(1, 5) a,
+        generate_series(1,366) b;
+CREATE INDEX ON distinct_boundaries (a, b, c);
+ANALYZE distinct_boundaries;
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b, c from distinct_boundaries
+WHERE b >= 1 and c = 0 ORDER BY a, b;
+                                 QUERY PLAN                                 
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Index Only Scan using distinct_boundaries_a_b_c_idx on distinct_boundaries
+   Skip scan: true
+   Index Cond: ((b >= 1) AND (c = 0))
+(3 rows)
+
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b, c from distinct_boundaries
+WHERE b >= 1 and c = 0 ORDER BY a, b;
+ a | b | c 
+---+---+---
+ 1 | 2 | 0
+ 2 | 2 | 0
+ 3 | 2 | 0
+ 4 | 2 | 0
+ 5 | 2 | 0
+(5 rows)
+
+DROP TABLE distinct_boundaries;
diff --git a/src/test/regress/expected/sysviews.out b/src/test/regress/expected/sysviews.out
index a1c90eb905..bd3b373515 100644
--- a/src/test/regress/expected/sysviews.out
+++ b/src/test/regress/expected/sysviews.out
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ select name, setting from pg_settings where name like 'enable%';
  enable_hashjoin                | on
  enable_indexonlyscan           | on
  enable_indexscan               | on
+ enable_indexskipscan           | on
  enable_material                | on
  enable_mergejoin               | on
  enable_nestloop                | on
@@ -89,7 +90,7 @@ select name, setting from pg_settings where name like 'enable%';
  enable_seqscan                 | on
  enable_sort                    | on
  enable_tidscan                 | on
-(17 rows)
+(18 rows)
 
 -- Test that the pg_timezone_names and pg_timezone_abbrevs views are
 -- more-or-less working.  We can't test their contents in any great detail
diff --git a/src/test/regress/sql/select_distinct.sql b/src/test/regress/sql/select_distinct.sql
index a605e86449..4c8a50d153 100644
--- a/src/test/regress/sql/select_distinct.sql
+++ b/src/test/regress/sql/select_distinct.sql
@@ -73,3 +73,189 @@ SELECT 1 IS NOT DISTINCT FROM 2 as "no";
 SELECT 2 IS NOT DISTINCT FROM 2 as "yes";
 SELECT 2 IS NOT DISTINCT FROM null as "no";
 SELECT null IS NOT DISTINCT FROM null as "yes";
+
+-- index only skip scan
+CREATE TABLE distinct_a (a int, b int, c int);
+INSERT INTO distinct_a (
+    SELECT five, tenthous, 10 FROM
+    generate_series(1, 5) five,
+    generate_series(1, 10000) tenthous
+);
+CREATE INDEX ON distinct_a (a, b);
+ANALYZE distinct_a;
+
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a;
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a WHERE a = 1;
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a ORDER BY a DESC;
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a;
+
+-- test index skip scan with a condition on a non unique field
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+
+-- test index skip scan backwards
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b FROM distinct_a ORDER BY a DESC, b DESC;
+
+-- check colums order
+CREATE INDEX distinct_a_b_a on distinct_a (b, a);
+
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+SELECT DISTINCT on (a, b) a, b FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT on (a, b) a, b FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+
+DROP INDEX distinct_a_b_a;
+
+-- test opposite scan/index directions inside a cursor
+-- forward/backward
+BEGIN;
+DECLARE c SCROLL CURSOR FOR
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a,b FROM distinct_a ORDER BY a, b;
+
+FETCH FROM c;
+FETCH BACKWARD FROM c;
+
+FETCH 6 FROM c;
+FETCH BACKWARD 6 FROM c;
+
+FETCH 6 FROM c;
+FETCH BACKWARD 6 FROM c;
+
+END;
+
+-- backward/forward
+BEGIN;
+DECLARE c SCROLL CURSOR FOR
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a,b FROM distinct_a ORDER BY a DESC, b DESC;
+
+FETCH FROM c;
+FETCH BACKWARD FROM c;
+
+FETCH 6 FROM c;
+FETCH BACKWARD 6 FROM c;
+
+FETCH 6 FROM c;
+FETCH BACKWARD 6 FROM c;
+
+END;
+
+-- test missing values and skipping from the end
+CREATE TABLE distinct_abc(a int, b int, c int);
+CREATE INDEX ON distinct_abc(a, b, c);
+INSERT INTO distinct_abc
+	VALUES (1, 1, 1),
+		   (1, 1, 2),
+		   (1, 2, 2),
+		   (1, 2, 3),
+		   (2, 2, 1),
+		   (2, 2, 3),
+		   (3, 1, 1),
+		   (3, 1, 2),
+		   (3, 2, 2),
+		   (3, 2, 3);
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a,b,c FROM distinct_abc WHERE c = 2;
+
+BEGIN;
+DECLARE c SCROLL CURSOR FOR
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a,b,c FROM distinct_abc WHERE c = 2;
+
+FETCH ALL FROM c;
+FETCH BACKWARD ALL FROM c;
+
+END;
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a,b,c FROM distinct_abc WHERE c = 2
+ORDER BY a DESC, b DESC;
+
+BEGIN;
+DECLARE c SCROLL CURSOR FOR
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a,b,c FROM distinct_abc WHERE c = 2
+ORDER BY a DESC, b DESC;
+
+FETCH ALL FROM c;
+FETCH BACKWARD ALL FROM c;
+
+END;
+
+DROP TABLE distinct_abc;
+
+-- index skip scan
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b, c
+FROM distinct_a ORDER BY a;
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b, c
+FROM distinct_a WHERE a = 1 ORDER BY a;
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b, c
+FROM distinct_a ORDER BY a;
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b, c
+FROM distinct_a WHERE a = 1 ORDER BY a;
+
+-- check colums order
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2 AND c = 10;
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2 AND c = 10;
+
+-- check projection case
+SELECT DISTINCT a, a FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+SELECT DISTINCT a, 1 FROM distinct_a WHERE b = 2;
+
+-- test cursor forward/backward movements
+BEGIN;
+DECLARE c SCROLL CURSOR FOR SELECT DISTINCT a FROM distinct_a;
+
+FETCH FROM c;
+FETCH BACKWARD FROM c;
+
+FETCH 6 FROM c;
+FETCH BACKWARD 6 FROM c;
+
+FETCH 6 FROM c;
+FETCH BACKWARD 6 FROM c;
+
+END;
+
+DROP TABLE distinct_a;
+
+-- test tuples visibility
+CREATE TABLE distinct_visibility (a int, b int);
+INSERT INTO distinct_visibility (select a, b from generate_series(1,5) a, generate_series(1, 10000) b);
+CREATE INDEX ON distinct_visibility (a, b);
+ANALYZE distinct_visibility;
+
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b FROM distinct_visibility ORDER BY a, b;
+DELETE FROM distinct_visibility WHERE a = 2 and b = 1;
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b FROM distinct_visibility ORDER BY a, b;
+
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b FROM distinct_visibility ORDER BY a DESC, b DESC;
+DELETE FROM distinct_visibility WHERE a = 2 and b = 10000;
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b FROM distinct_visibility ORDER BY a DESC, b DESC;
+DROP TABLE distinct_visibility;
+
+-- test page boundaries
+CREATE TABLE distinct_boundaries AS
+    SELECT a, b::int2 b, (b % 2)::int2 c FROM
+        generate_series(1, 5) a,
+        generate_series(1,366) b;
+
+CREATE INDEX ON distinct_boundaries (a, b, c);
+ANALYZE distinct_boundaries;
+
+EXPLAIN (COSTS OFF)
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b, c from distinct_boundaries
+WHERE b >= 1 and c = 0 ORDER BY a, b;
+
+SELECT DISTINCT ON (a) a, b, c from distinct_boundaries
+WHERE b >= 1 and c = 0 ORDER BY a, b;
+
+DROP TABLE distinct_boundaries;
-- 
2.21.1

--------------51B4E6A19513F7FD264CD0FF--