fixedIndexes

fixedIndexes is a term that can refer to several concepts within computer science and data management, generally relating to the predefined or immutable positions of data elements within a structure.

In the context of arrays and lists, fixed indexes often imply that the size of the data structure is determined at creation and cannot be changed. Once an element is placed at a specific index, that index remains associated with that element or its designated position unless the entire structure is rebuilt or reallocated. This contrasts with dynamic arrays or lists where elements can be added or removed, potentially shifting the indexes of subsequent elements.

Within databases, fixed indexes can describe situations where the indexing strategy for a table is set and not subject to automatic modification by the database system. For instance, a database administrator might explicitly create a clustered index on a primary key, effectively fixing the physical order of data rows on disk according to that index. Subsequent queries can then rely on this fixed physical ordering for efficient retrieval.

In some programming languages or libraries, fixed indexes might be a characteristic of specific data types or operations. For example, certain tuple implementations might have fixed-size elements at fixed positions, providing guaranteed access to data by its unchanging index. The concept emphasizes predictability and direct access without the overhead of dynamic resizing or index recalculation.