Indeks

Indeks (English: index) is a general term used in several disciplines to denote a systematic reference that helps locate, compare, or quantify information. In publishing and information science, an index is a structured list that associates topics with locations in a document or collection, enabling readers to find specific discussions without reading the entire text. An index may be compiled from headings, keywords, or metadata and is often created by editors or software.

In mathematics and statistics, an index (or index number) is a numeric measure that expresses changes relative to a base period. Price indices, consumer price indices, and wage indices summarize movements over time and allow comparisons across goods, regions, or periods. In finance, market indices track the performance of a group of securities and serve as benchmarks for investment portfolios.

In computer science, an index is a data structure that speeds data retrieval. Database indexes and full-text search indexes map keys, words, or terms to their locations in a dataset, reducing search time. In physical sciences, refractive index measures how light propagates through a medium and affects optical properties.

Indices play a key role in policy-making, research, and daily life by standardizing measurements, enabling comparison, and improving search efficiency. The term derives from Latin indicis, meaning a point out or indicator.