title: How to partition a mysql table after the table is already created
body: <p>I am trying to partition my table so I can narrow down the record so accessing data won't take as long as it is taking now.</p>
  
  <p>this table that I want to partition has 2 key fields
  (1) 'tigger_on' which is a datetime field and I use this a lot as look up key.
  (2) 'status' which has 3 values 1=active,2=completed,0=purged. </p>
  
  <p>I am not sure what is the best way to partition this table so that it will be easier to access for the select statement?</p>
  
  <p>First I have one question when I do a partition does this create a new table so I will have to alter my queries? or is it something like an index where it narrow down the search so the look up data will be less?</p>
  
  <p>Second How can I alter my existing table to add this partition? should I partition base on date range or my status or can I do it by both?</p>
  
  <p>I never done partition before so I am clueless on how its done.</p>
  
  <p>Note this table has 5 million records and I have added index. So I am looking for solution beyond indexing at this point.</p>