Secondary indexes (GSI, LSI) in AWS - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a Global Secondary Index (GSI) in DynamoDB?

A Global Secondary Index (GSI) is an index with a partition key and optional sort key that can be different from the base table's keys. It allows querying data efficiently using alternate keys across all table data.

beginner

What is a Local Secondary Index (LSI) in DynamoDB?

A Local Secondary Index (LSI) is an index that uses the same partition key as the base table but a different sort key. It allows querying data within the same partition using alternate sort keys.

intermediate

Can you add a Global Secondary Index (GSI) after creating a DynamoDB table?

Yes, you can add a GSI to an existing DynamoDB table at any time without downtime.

intermediate

Can you add a Local Secondary Index (LSI) after creating a DynamoDB table?

No, LSIs must be defined when the table is created and cannot be added later.

intermediate

What is a key difference in storage between GSI and LSI?

LSIs share the same partition key and storage as the base table, while GSIs have their own storage and can have different partition keys.

Which index type in DynamoDB can have a different partition key than the base table?

A Local Secondary Index (LSI)

B Global Secondary Index (GSI)

C Primary Key

D Sort Key

GSIs allow a different partition key from the base table, enabling flexible queries.

When can you add a Local Secondary Index (LSI) to a DynamoDB table?

A Only during table update

B Anytime after table creation

C Only during table creation

D LSIs cannot be added at all

LSIs must be defined when creating the table and cannot be added later.

Which index type shares the same partition key as the base table?

A Global Secondary Index (GSI)

B Both GSI and LSI

C Neither GSI nor LSI

D Local Secondary Index (LSI)

LSI uses the same partition key but a different sort key.

What happens to storage when you create a Global Secondary Index (GSI)?

A GSI uses separate storage from the base table

B GSI shares storage with the base table

C GSI does not use any storage

D GSI storage is temporary

GSIs have their own storage separate from the base table.

Which index type can be added to a DynamoDB table without downtime?

A Global Secondary Index (GSI)

B Local Secondary Index (LSI)

C Neither

D Both

GSIs can be added anytime without downtime; LSIs cannot be added after creation.

Explain the main differences between Global Secondary Index (GSI) and Local Secondary Index (LSI) in DynamoDB.

Think about keys, timing of creation, and storage.

Describe when and why you would use a Global Secondary Index (GSI) versus a Local Secondary Index (LSI).

Consider query needs and index flexibility.