patternsqlModerate
Are heaps considered an index structure or are they strictly a table structure without index?
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withoutstrictlyareconsideredstructureindexheapstheytable
Problem
Inspired by this post: https://twitter.com/#!/SQLChicken/status/102930436795285505
Heaps: Are they considered an index structure or are they strictly a table structure without index?
Heaps: Are they considered an index structure or are they strictly a table structure without index?
Solution
An index implies there is data order to the rows. Given that a heap isn't created with any such order and doesn't maintain an order either, it's just a method of storing table data.
There are a few examples (say, dm_db_index_physical_stats) where to specify a heap, you have to enter an index id of 0. While this seems to contradict what I just said, I think this is just a magic value to simplify the API and its usage; nothing more.
There are a few examples (say, dm_db_index_physical_stats) where to specify a heap, you have to enter an index id of 0. While this seems to contradict what I just said, I think this is just a magic value to simplify the API and its usage; nothing more.
Context
StackExchange Database Administrators Q#4630, answer score: 10
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