← PostgreSQL Concepts
Full table scan
If you've arrived here looking for a full table scan, PostgreSQL calls it a sequential scan. Allow me to direct you.
A full table scan — known in PostgreSQL as a sequential scan (Seq Scan) — reads every row in a table from the first page to the last. PostgreSQL uses this term in EXPLAIN output, pg_stat_user_tables, and all documentation. For the complete reference, see the sequential scan glossary entry.