Databases Demystified Chapter 9 – Indexes

Indexes are used in databases to speed up queries, similar to how they function in textbooks and libraries. They work by organizing data in a specific order, allowing for efficient searching using algorithms like binary search. While indexes can significantly improve query times, they also have drawbacks such as increased storage space usage and slower write/update operations. Therefore, it's crucial to carefully consider the use cases before deciding to implement an index or not.