Composite Indexes vs Single Indexes: Which is Better?

What are the main differences between composite indexes and single indexes?

Composite indexes are made up of multiple columns, while single indexes are based on a single column. This affects query performance.

When should I use a composite index instead of a single index?

Use a composite index when your queries filter on multiple columns. It can significantly improve performance in such cases.

Are there any downsides to using composite indexes?

Yes, composite indexes can consume more storage and may slow down write operations since they need to be updated more frequently.

Can you give an example of a query that benefits from a composite index?

Sure! A query like SELECT * FROM orders WHERE customer_id = ? AND order_date = ? would benefit from a composite index on both customer_id and order_date.