What is indexing how is it done in using .NET

Hi Everybody

I have a small requirement for my project. i.e.

to improve the speed of search engine of files.

I heard that this can be acheved by using indexing concepts. but i know nothing about indexing or how to implement those concepts using vb.net.

apart from that i have one more doubt that is this index a dependent of operating system or a part of oprating systems like search option in window O/Ss

finally i conclude this by requesting you all to help me in understanding these concepts by providing suitable links or the articles you have or a piece of code you have. mean while even i will search for these if i find any i shall post them here


Thanks & Regards
Seshu

re: What is indexing how is it done in using .NET

You need to decide on a data structure which will help with indexing
Hash Tables are one of the easiest examples of indexing.

it is an array, but the position in which it is stored is determined by a mathematically computed hash value.

hence if you have to search for a certain word, you create a hash of it, and check the value of the data in that particular aray index.

Obviously when you look deeper into it, you cant always use one big array, and hashes can collide for which you would need to decide a collision mechanism.

with .net 3/3.5 you can integrate the windows indexing (which i think is only applicable to the stored files) and it can only be run on vista if im not wrong.