Explain the concept of clustered indexes in database normalization.

Explain the concept of clustered indexes in database normalization.

Clustered indexes in database normalization refer to the way data is physically stored in a database table. A clustered index determines the order in which data is stored on disk, based on the values of one or more columns. It is important to note that a table can have only one clustered index.

The concept of clustered indexes is not directly related to database normalization. Database normalization is a process of organizing data in a database to eliminate redundancy and improve data integrity. It involves breaking down a database into multiple tables and establishing relationships between them.

However, clustered indexes can play a role in optimizing database performance. By choosing an appropriate column or set of columns for the clustered index, it is possible to improve the efficiency of data retrieval operations, such as searching and sorting. The clustered index determines the physical order of data on disk, which can reduce the number of disk I/O operations required to access the data.

In summary, while clustered indexes are not directly related to database normalization, they can be used to optimize database performance by determining the physical order of data on disk.