What's the difference between using INDEX vs KEY in MySQL?

Question

I know how to use INDEX as in the following code. And I know how to use foreign key and primary key .

CREATE TABLE tasks ( 
  task_id INT UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT, 
  parent_id INT UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT 0, 
  task VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL, 
  date_added TIMESTAMP NOT NULL, 
  date_completed TIMESTAMP, 
  PRIMARY KEY (task_id), 
  INDEX parent (parent_id), 
  ....

However I found a code using KEY instead of INDEX as following.

...
KEY order_date (order_date) 
...

I could not find any explanation on the official MySQL page. Could anyone tell me what is the differences between KEY and INDEX?

The only difference I see is that when I use KEY ... , I need to repeat the word, eg
KEY order_date (order_date) .

Answer 1

There's no difference. They are synonyms.

From the CREATE TABLE manual entry :

KEY is normally a synonym for INDEX . The key attribute PRIMARY KEY can also be specified as just KEY when given in a column definition. This was implemented for compatibility with other database systems.

Answer 2

Here is a nice description about the "difference":

"MySQL requires every Key also be indexed, that's an implementation detail specific to MySQL to improve performance."

Answer 3

It is mentioned as a synonym for INDEX in the 'create table' docs: MySQL 5.5 Reference Manual :: 13 SQL Statement Syntax :: 13.1 Data Definition Statements :: 13.1.17 CREATE TABLE Syntax

@Nos already cited the section and linked the help for 5.1.

Like PRIMARY KEY creates a primary key and an index for you, KEY creates an index only.

Answer 4

Keys are special fields that play very specific roles within a table, and the type of key determines its purpose within the table.

An index is a structure that RDBMS(database management system) provides to improve data processing. An index has nothing to do with a logical database structure.

SO...

Keys are logical structures you use to identify records within a table and indexes are physical structures you use to optimize data processing.

Source: Database Design for Mere Mortals

Author: Michael Hernandez

Answer 5

A key is a set of columns or expressions on which we build an index.

1. While an index is a structure that is stored in database, keys are strictly a logical concept.

2. Index help us in fast accessing a record, whereas keys just identify the records uniquely.

3. Every table will necessarily have a key, but having an index is not mandatory.

Check on https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E11882_01/server.112/e40540/indexiot.htm#CNCPT721