When should I use different types of indexes in databases?

What are the different types of indexes I can use in a database?

There are several types of indexes, including B-tree, hash, bitmap, and full-text indexes. Each serves different purposes.

When should I use a B-tree index over a hash index?

Use a B-tree index for range queries and ordered data retrieval, while hash indexes are best for equality comparisons.

Can you explain bitmap indexes and when to use them?

Bitmap indexes are efficient for columns with a low cardinality, like gender or status, and are great for complex queries.

What about full-text indexes? When are they useful?

Full-text indexes are ideal for searching large text fields, allowing for efficient keyword searches and relevance ranking.

How do I decide which index to use for my specific use case?

Consider the types of queries you'll run, the size of your data, and the cardinality of the columns to choose the right index.