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difference Primary Key and a clustered index

  • October 7, 2006 at 12:32 pm

    #170659

    Hi,

    just what is the difference between a PK and a clustered index?

    They are the same thing right?

    Or is a PK an implied clustered index by virtue of being a unique constraint.

    Any simple answer welcome as I got this in an interview last week.

    I haven't seen a clear-cut layman's explaination anywhere.

    Eamon

  • October 7, 2006 at 12:53 pm

    #664724

    The one most common difference which is coming to my mind right now is Clustered index will sort your data in table(either Ascending or Descending) But making a primary key on a table will not do so.

  • October 7, 2006 at 12:55 pm

    #664725

    Primary Key is a constraint and a clustered index is usually the main index of a table although you are not required to create one.  So both are not required just good practice.  Your questions are answered in detail in the link below.  Hope this helps.

    http://www.sql-server-performance.com/q&a71.asp

    Kind regards,
    Gift Peddie

  • October 8, 2006 at 8:21 am

    #664731

    Thanks alot for this guys both make this very clear now

    Eamon

     

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