Clustered index determines the physical storage order of data, and there can be only one per table; non-clustered indexes do not change the order of data, and are independent search structures and can create multiple ones. 1. Clustered index sorts data by index, improving primary key and range query efficiency, but insertion and update cost is high. 2. Non-clustered indexes are similar to directories, containing index columns and pointers to data, suitable for frequently searched columns. 3. The heap table has no clustered index, and the nonclustered index points to the physical address. The choice of both depends on the query mode and the frequency of data change.
In SQL, indexing is a key tool for improving query performance. Understanding the difference between Clustered Index and Nonclustered Index is very helpful in optimizing database performance.

Simply put, clustered index determines the physical storage order of data in the table, while non-clustered indexes are a way of searching independent of the data storage structure.

Clustered index: Data sorted by index
A table can only have one clustered index because it determines how the data is actually arranged on disk. When you create a clustered index on a field, SQL Server reorganizes the data order of the entire table based on the value of this field.
For example:

If you have a user table and create a clustered index on UserID
, all records in this table will be stored in the order of UserID
. This is like a phone book sorted alphabetically. When looking for someone, you can directly turn to the corresponding position.
advantage:
- Querying primary keys or range queries is efficient.
- Data is stored in index order, reducing disk I/O.
Note:
- Insert and update operations may affect performance because the order of data is to be maintained.
- Not suitable for frequently changed columns.
Nonclustered index: "directory" to data
A nonclustered index does not change the storage order of the data itself, it is more like a directory at the end of the book - containing the value of the index column and a pointer to the actual data row (called a bookmark or row locator).
For example, if you create a nonclustered index on the LastName
field, the index will save all last name values and record UserID
or clustered index keys corresponding to these values, thereby finding the complete record.
Structural features:
- The index page contains only index columns and pointers to data.
- You can create multiple nonclustered indexes for a table.
Applicable scenarios:
- A field that is often used to search but does not determine the order of data.
- A column that often appears in query conditions.
Aggregation vs. non-aggregation: Several key differences
characteristic | Clustered Index | Nonclustered index |
---|---|---|
Data storage order | Sort by index | Does not affect the order of data |
Quantity Limit | Only one table per table | There can be multiple |
Find efficiency | Direct access to data lines | Check the index first and then jump to the data |
Update cost | Higher (maybe re-arrange data) | Relatively low |
In addition, if a table does not have a clustered index, it is called a "heap table", in which case the pointer in the nonclustered index points directly to the physical address of the data row.
Basically that's it. Both have their own uses, and which index to choose depends on your query mode and the frequency of data change. If used well, it can greatly improve performance, and if used incorrectly, it may slow down the system.
The above is the detailed content of Explain Clustered vs Nonclustered Indexes in SQL.. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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