Description: Index mapping in Elasticsearch is a fundamental component that defines how documents and their fields are stored and indexed. This process involves creating a schema that specifies the properties of fields, such as their data types (text, number, date, etc.), as well as additional configurations that affect analysis and search. For example, one can define whether a field is analyzable, meaning it can be broken down into terms to facilitate searching, or if it is a keyword field, which is indexed as-is and used for exact searches. Index mapping allows users to optimize query performance and storage utilization, ensuring that data is handled efficiently. Additionally, mapping can be dynamic, meaning Elasticsearch can automatically infer the data type of a field when a new document is indexed, although it can also be explicitly defined for greater control. In summary, index mapping is essential for the structure and performance of searches in various search engines and databases, allowing developers and database administrators to manage their data effectively.
