Oracle Database Discussions

Good morning,

I am new to Oracle and currently studying the Oracle Concepts document.

Table 3-4 of that document shows a comparison of Heap Organized Table and Index Organized Tables.

In that comparison it states that Index Organized Tables cannot contain virtual columns, whereas Heap Organized Tables can.

I've been trying to figure out the reason for this difference. I do not see how the fact that the data is stored in the index itself prevents Oracle from implementing virtual columns (after all, it is just a calculated column).

If someone can shed some light as to why Index Organized Tables cannot contain virtual columns, I would appreciate it.

Thank you,

John.