Index Architecture Types

  • + 0 comments

    In MS SQL Server, there are two index architecture type classifications: clustered and non-clustered indexes.

    A clustered index determines the physical order of data in a table based on the values in one of the columns of the table. Each table can have only one clustered index, and it is usually created on the primary key of the table.

    A non-clustered index is a separate structure that contains a copy of the indexed columns and a pointer to the corresponding row in the table. A table can have multiple non-clustered indexes, and they are usually created on columns frequently used in queries.

    These two types of indexes have different characteristics and are used for different purposes. Clustered indexes are more suitable for range-based queries and sorting operations, while non-clustered indexes are better for queries that involve specific columns or combinations of columns.