What happens when you add a new column to a table that uses search optimization?

• A. The search access path remains unchanged
• B. The new column is automatically added to the search access path
• C. The search optimization is disabled
• D. The entire path must be rebuilt

Answer: (B)

When search optimization is active, Snowflake’s accelerated access path automatically adapts to schema changes. Adding a new column prompts the search optimization service to update its metadata and data layout to include that column, so the new column becomes part of the search access path without any manual rebuild or reconfiguration. This means queries that filter on the new column can leverage the optimization immediately, provided the column is used in the predicates.