Definition
The systematic organization of tabular, relational, or graph-based data into searchable schemas that allow AI agents to execute deterministic queries (like SQL or Cypher) alongside semantic vector search. It bridges the gap between structured databases and unstructured LLM context by enabling precise, schema-aware retrieval that sacrifices semantic flexibility for mathematical accuracy.
Unlike vector indexing which maps 'meaning' in high-dimensional space, structured indexing maps 'facts' in pre-defined columns or nodes.
"An automated warehouse inventory system where every item has a specific barcode and shelf location, compared to a pile of books sorted only by their general topic."
- Text-to-SQL(Retrieval Mechanism)
- Knowledge Graph(Alternative Indexing Structure)
- Metadata Filtering(Component)
- Hybrid Search(Optimization Technique)
Conceptual Overview
The systematic organization of tabular, relational, or graph-based data into searchable schemas that allow AI agents to execute deterministic queries (like SQL or Cypher) alongside semantic vector search. It bridges the gap between structured databases and unstructured LLM context by enabling precise, schema-aware retrieval that sacrifices semantic flexibility for mathematical accuracy.
Disambiguation
Unlike vector indexing which maps 'meaning' in high-dimensional space, structured indexing maps 'facts' in pre-defined columns or nodes.
Visual Analog
An automated warehouse inventory system where every item has a specific barcode and shelf location, compared to a pile of books sorted only by their general topic.