Clustered Indexes

Clustered Indexes v/s Non-Clustered Indexes

A database index is a data structure that improves the speed of data retrieval operations on a database table at the cost of slower writes and the use of more storage space. Indexes can be created using one or more columns of a database table, providing the basis for both rapid random look ups and efficient access of ordered records.

There are basically two types of indexes: Clustered Indexes and Non-Clustered Indexes. Both uses “B-TREE” for searching data. However, storage of physical data differs.

  •  Clustered Indexes:  In clustered index, the non-leaf level points to the actual data.
Clustered Indexes
Clustered Index Architecture
  • Non-Clustered Indexes: In Non-Clustered index the leaf nodes point to pointers, which then point to actual data.
Non-Clustered Indexes
Non-Clustered Index Architecture

 

 

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