What is Index / Indexing – Explained Simply

An index in computer and internet terminology is a type of library of files designed to accelerate the search for those files. In such an index, large amounts of data are summarized and stored. This means that when searching for these files, it is not necessary to scan the entire PC or the Internet again until they are found. Thanks to this mechanism, significant time is saved, as searches using an index can be conducted much more quickly. The best-known internet search engine, Google, for example, is based on its own index. When you enter a keyword into Google, it searches this specific index rather than the entire Internet, as one might mistakenly assume at first.

What is Indexing?

The term indexing describes the process that occurs when creating an index. In this process, information (files, etc.) is compiled and stored in an index, as is done with the Lookeen search solution. For example, Lookeen’s search index can encompass all files, including their contents, on your computer.

Lookeen searches all your files in seconds with a real-time index!

How does the Lookeen search engine index?

The Lookeen software uses a full-text library named Lucene as its index. This means that Lookeen is one of the search engines capable of searching not only for files but also for file contents. For example, you can easily locate a text file such as a Word document. All you need to do is search for a keyword contained within the file’s text. Additionally, Lookeen features a real-time index. Therefore, when you save a new file on your PC, it is immediately added to the Lookeen search index, allowing you to search for it right away. Additionally, using Lookeen’s indexing, you can also search for:

• Metadata (file creation date, file type, file size, etc.)
• File/folder names, storage locations
• Text files, file contents, various text formats (.pdf, .docx, etc.)
• Emails and much more

in a matter of seconds.

Why is it important to familiarize yourself with the terms indexing and index?

As already mentioned, an index saves you a tremendous amount of time when searching for important files on the computer and on the internet. Through this time savings, productivity in daily work and at home can be significantly increased:

Important files are found faster and more precisely thanks to the various search options. At work, new employees can access information more easily and independently without having to rely on another colleague.

Indexing is therefore not a boring term in the computer world, because when using index-based search engines, many advantages for searching for important files become apparent.

You can find all further benefits of index-based search with Lookeen here.

I hope this article has helped you understand and use the terms index and indexing in computer terminology.

See you soon!