Indexes vs Indices
Difference, Examples & Quiz
What's the difference? Which one is correct?
Definition: Indexes are a data structure that improves the speed of data retrieval operations on a database table.
Usage: Indexes are used to optimize query performance by allowing the database to quickly locate the rows that match a certain condition.
- 1. The database query was faster because there was an index on the searched column.
- 2. Adding an index to the frequently accessed table improved the overall system performance.
- 3. When creating indexes, it is important to consider the trade-off between query performance and the additional storage space required.
Definition: Indices is the plural form of the word index.
Usage: Indices is used when referring to multiple indexes.
- 1. The database had multiple indices to optimize different types of queries.
- 2. The indices on the table were carefully designed to cover various search scenarios.
- 3. Indices can significantly improve the performance of complex queries involving multiple tables.
Indexes and indices are both plural forms of the word index. They are used interchangeably, but indexes is more commonly used in American English, while indices is more commonly used in British English.
Indexes vs Indices : 5 Quizzes
1. What is the plural form of 'Index'?
2. Which spelling is correct: 'Indexes' or 'Indices'?
3. What is the correct plural form of 'Index'?
4. Which term is used to represent multiple 'Index'?
5. What is the plural form of 'Indices'?
FAQs
What are indexes?
Indexes are data structures that improve the speed of data retrieval operations on a database table.
Why are indexes important?
Indexes help in faster data retrieval by allowing the database to quickly locate the rows that match a certain condition.
How do indexes work?
Indexes work by creating a separate data structure that contains the indexed column values and a pointer to the actual data.
What is the difference between indexes and indices?
Indexes and indices are essentially the same thing. 'Indexes' is the plural form, while 'indices' is less commonly used.
When should I use indexes?
Indexes should be used on columns that are frequently used in search conditions or join operations to improve query performance.