6 Indexing operations

In the last few chapters, we worked with indices without delving into intricate details. While that is adequate for getting started with Elasticsearch, it is far from ideal. Configuring an index with appropriate settings not only lets Elasticsearch run efficiently but also increases resiliency. A sound organizational indexing strategy creates a future-proof search engine and, hence, a smoother user experience.

For a healthy and performant Elasticsearch cluster, we need to work with indices at a lower level. Understanding index management in depth helps when setting up a resilient and coherent search system. This chapter is dedicated to indexing operations and understanding the mechanics, indexing APIs, and inner workings in detail.

6.1 Indexing operations

6.2 Creating indexes

6.2.1 Creating indexes implicitly (automatic creation)

6.2.2 Creating indexes explicitly

6.2.3 Indexes with custom settings

6.2.4 Indexes with mappings

6.2.5 Index with aliases

6.3 Reading indexes

6.3.1 Reading public indexes

6.3.2 Reading hidden indexes

6.4 Deleting indexes