Dense Index:
A dense index is a database index that contains an entry for every record in a
table. It's like a detailed index in a book that lists every page number for a
particular topic.
Example:
Suppose we have a table called `Students` with columns `StudentID` and `Name`.
StudentID Name
1 John
2 Emma
3 David
4 Sarah
5 Mike
A dense index on `StudentID` would look like this:
StudentID Pointer to Record
1 Record 1
2 Record 2
3 Record 3
4 Record 4
5 Record 5
Benefits:
- Fast lookup and retrieval of data
- Efficient searching and sorting
Key point:
Dense indexes are useful when you need to frequently access specific records in a
table.
In simple terms, a dense index is like a detailed map that helps the database
quickly find and retrieve specific data.
Sparse Index:
A sparse index is a database index that contains entries for only some records in a
table, not all. It's like a summary index in a book that lists key topics and their
page numbers.
Example:
Suppose we have a table called `Students` with columns `StudentID` and `Name`.
StudentID Name
1 John
2 Emma
3 David
4 Sarah
5 Mike
6 Tom
7 Alex
A sparse index on `StudentID` might look like this, indexing every 3rd record:
StudentID Pointer to Record
1 Record 1
4 Record 4
7 Record 7
How it works:
When searching for a specific `StudentID`, the database uses the sparse index to
find the closest match, then searches the surrounding records.
Benefits:
- Reduced index size
- Faster updates and inserts
Key point:
Sparse indexes are useful when storage space is limited or when the database is
updated frequently.
In simple terms, a sparse index is like a shortcut that helps the database quickly
narrow down its search, then find the exact data.
