What is database indexing and why is it important?

What is database indexing and why is it important?

Database indexing is a data structure technique that improves the speed of data retrieval operations on a database. It allows the database to find and access data more quickly, which is crucial for performance, especially in large datasets.

How does indexing work in databases?

Indexing works by creating a separate data structure that holds a sorted list of keys and pointers to the actual data. When a query is made, the database can use the index to quickly locate the data instead of scanning the entire table.

What are the different types of database indexes?

There are several types of database indexes, including B-tree indexes, hash indexes, and full-text indexes. Each type serves different use cases and has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Can you explain B-tree indexes in more detail?

B-tree indexes are balanced tree data structures that maintain sorted data and allow searches, sequential access, insertions, and deletions in logarithmic time. They are widely used in databases for their efficiency.