Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Comparing data structures
We've now seen five different data structures that allow us to store multiple values within a
single field. Each data structure has certain advantages and disadvantages, and each is best
suited to particular use cases. In the table below, we summarize the important features of
each of the data structures from this chapter:
User-defined
Type
Set
List
Map
Tuple
Size
Flexible
Flexible
Flexible
Fixed
Fixed
Discrete updates
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Partial Selection
No
No
No
No
Yes
Name-value pairs
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Multiple Types
No
No
Keys and Values Yes
Yes
Individual ele-
ments
Individual ele-
ments
Individual ele-
ments
Entire
value
Index
Entire value
Can be used as primary
key
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
