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Glossary: Embeddings and Vector Search

iterative index scans

Also written: iterative_scan, hnsw.iterative_scan, relaxed_order

A pgvector 0.8+ feature that keeps scanning the HNSW index until enough rows pass the WHERE filter. It fixes strict filters returning fewer rows than the LIMIT; `relaxed_order` may return rows slightly out of distance order.

Where the book teaches it

Related terms

pgvectorHNSWpost-filter / pre-filter