What is a Database Index?
Ever wondered how Google responds to your search queries in the blink of an eye? While the obvious answer is the sheer amount of computing resources it has on top, there is a lot more at play here. Database indexes, among other factors, also play a vital role in Google’s ability to respond to search queries in as little as 0.2 seconds.
A database index, just like an index on a book, is a data structure that helps speed up finding and accessing records within a database. The key benefit of an index is that it helps speed up the query process by not having to scan through the entire database to look for a specific record.
An index can be created on one or multiple columns of a table as needed. For example, if you have a database of information where you most often look up customer information based on, say, their last name, you can create an index on the column that holds all the last names.
Every time you run a query, the database will use the index to locate the matching record faster rather than scanning the entire table.
Why is a Database Index Essential?
Data is one of the most valuable commodities in this digital age. With each passing day, we generate about 2.5 quintillion bytes worldwide. These vast volumes of data equate to equally large databases that are growing exponentially.
Database indexing is essential for the following reasons:
- Improved Query Performance: With an index in place, a database can find records with minimal disk I/O operations, thus resulting in faster data retrieval.
- Efficient Data Access: An index table, unlike the database itself, is small enough to fit in a memory or cache, thereby minimizing memory usage and disk access latency.
- Optimized Database Operations: Indexing also optimizes common database operations, such as searching, sorting, filtering, and joining.
What are the Various Types Of Database Indexes?
Various types of database indexes are used based on what is required for a specific situation, such as:
1. Clustered Index
A clustered index defines the physical order of the records in the table. There can be only one clustered index per table, usually created on the primary key or the most frequently queried column.
2. Non-clustered Index
The table’s records’ physical order is unaffected by a non-clustered index. Non-clustered indexes are created on the columns that are utilized in the WHERE, ORDER BY, or GROUP BY clauses of the queries, and they can be created on more than one table.
3. Unique Index
The requirement of uniqueness for the indexed column(s) is enforced by a unique index. Lowering the number of records to scan also helps to enhance query performance by preventing the insertion of duplicate values into the table. A unique index can be either clustered or non-clustered, depending on the file organization.
The Flip Side of a Database Index
While a database index has numerous advantages, it also has a few drawbacks and limitations. For instance, an index takes up additional disk space and consumes additional resources.
If a database index is dynamic, then it too increases the overhead of a database as it will update itself every time there is a change in the database itself.
Moreover, a database index does not benefit a query that involves columns that are not indexed.
Therefore, a database index, while beneficial in most circumstances, is not a one-size-fits-all solution for every database. The decision to create an index for your database should be made with careful planning, keeping in mind the specific characteristics of the database system and its usage.