You can create SQL indexes from single or multiple columns.
A SQL index is like the index of a book. It speeds up the retrieval of a record. The relational database management system (RDBMS) can retrieve a record with the index key instead of having to perform a table scan.
MySQL automatically creates indexes for primary and foreign keys significantly speeding up join performance.
You should only create indexes on columns used in a join or search because the RDMS must update an index every time you execute an INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE.
When to Create an Index
When a column is used frequently in a search or a join.
When a column contains a large number of distinct values.
When the column is updated infrequently
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