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A clustered index is something that physically determines the organization of records in any table. Example: a language dictionary where physical organization of all words is based on alphabets in those words starting left to right. That's why husband stands behind foolishness and wife appears before wisdom in the dictionary. :)<br />
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On the other hand non clustered index is a separate structure that helps you traverse through records in the table like an index of a book that may tell you that chapter number 7 of that book starts at page 86 and ends at page 104. <br />
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That is the reason why we could have only one clustered but multiple non clustered indexes within a table.<br />
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Following is one link that might help you more<br />
<a href="http://www.itbully.com/articles/sql-indexing-and-performance-part-2-clustered-and-non-clustered" rel="ugc">http://www.itbully.com/articles/sql-indexing-and-performance-part-2-clustered-and-non-clustered</a>
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A clustered index is something that physically determines the organization of records in any table. Example: a language dictionary where physical organization of all words is based on alphabets in those words starting left to right. That's why husband stands behind foolishness and wife appears before wisdom in the dictionary. :)

On the other hand non clustered index is a separate structure that helps you traverse through records in the table like an index of a book that may tell you that chapter number 7 of that book starts at page 86 and ends at page 104.

That is the reason why we could have only one clustered but multiple non clustered indexes within a table.

Following is one link that might help you more
http://www.itbully.com/articles/sql-indexing-and-performance-part-2-clustered-and-non-clustered [http://www.itbully.com/articles/sql-indexing-and-performance-part-2-clustered-and-non-clustered]

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Hi:<br />
<br />
I know I've seen multiple posts of the answer to this question, but what is the answer in straightforward, easy to understand terms.<br />
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What is the difference between a clustered and non-clustered index in MS-SQL?<br />
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Thanks,<br />
JohnB
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Hi:

I know I've seen multiple posts of the answer to this question, but what is the answer in straightforward, easy to understand terms.

What is the difference between a clustered and non-clustered index in MS-SQL?

Thanks,
JohnB

What is the difference between a clustered and non-clustered index in MS-SQL?

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 is a suite of relational database management system (RDBMS) products providing multi-user database access functionality.Component services include integration (SSIS), reporting (SSRS), analysis (SSAS), data quality, master data, T-SQL and performance tuning. Major improvements include the  Always On technologies and support for unstructured data types.

Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 is a suite of relational database management system (RDBMS) products providing multi-user database access functionality.Component services include integration (SSIS), reporting (SSRS), analysis (SSAS), data quality, master data, T-SQL and performance tuning. It includes support for managing XML data and allows a database server to be exposed over web services using Tabular Data Stream (TDS) packets encapsulated within SOAP (protocol) requests.

Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Microsoft SQL Server is a suite of relational database management system (RDBMS) products providing multi-user database access functionality.SQL Server is available in multiple versions, typically identified by release year, and versions are subdivided into editions to distinguish between product functionality. Component services include integration (SSIS), reporting (SSRS), analysis (SSAS), data quality, master data, T-SQL and performance tuning.