Indexes (PDM)

An index is a data structure associated with one or more columns ordered by the column values. Indexes are typically created for columns that you are frequently searched on to improve response times. Most types of index are more effective when applied to columns with high cardinality.

For example, in an Author table, you might create an index for the primary key ID and another for the LastName column, as it is regularly searched on, but you will probably not create an index for the BirthCity column, as it is not often searched on.

• Creating Standard, Key, or Function-Based Indexes
  You can create indexes by selecting columns on a table property sheet Columns tab and clicking the Create Index tool.
• Index Properties
  To view or edit an index'sproperties, double-click its Browser or list entry. The property sheet tabs and fields listed here are those available by default, before any customization of the interface by you or an administrator.
• Rebuilding Indexes
  You can rebuild indexes at any time to reflect any changes that you have made to primary keys, foreign keys, or alternate keys in your model.