Description: Index fragmentation in database systems refers to the condition where an index has become inefficient due to the way data has been added, modified, or deleted in the underlying table. Over time, as insert and delete operations are performed, the index can become scattered, meaning that pointers to the data are not organized optimally. This can result in increased search times and system load, as the database engine needs to perform more operations to locate the desired records. Fragmentation can be internal, where space within the index data structures is not used efficiently, or external, where the index does not adequately reflect the distribution of data in the table. Index fragmentation is a common issue in databases that experience a high volume of transactions and data changes, and it can significantly impact the overall performance of queries. Therefore, it is crucial for database administrators to monitor and manage index fragmentation to ensure optimal performance of applications relying on the database.
