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Data & Analytics · Advanced

Index Seek

An access method that navigates an index tree directly to the matching keys instead of reading the whole index or table.

Definition

Seeks are efficient for selective predicates. Scans read all rows and are appropriate when a large share of the table is needed. A non-sargable predicate forces a scan even when an index exists.

Exam tip

Seek = targeted navigation; scan = read everything. A low-selectivity filter may correctly use a scan.

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