Comparing the two ways to create indexes  When to index

Chapter 12: Creating Indexes on Tables

Guidelines for using indexes

Indexes speed the retrieval of data. Putting an index on a column often makes the difference between a quick response to a query and a long wait.

However, building an index takes time and storage space. For example, nonclustered indexes are automatically re-created when a clustered index is rebuilt.

Additionally, inserting, deleting, or updating data in indexed columns takes longer than in unindexed columns. However, this cost is usually outweighed by the extent to which indexes improve retrieval performance.





Copyright © 2005. Sybase Inc. All rights reserved. When to index

View this book as PDF