Catalog vs. Index — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 15, 2024
A catalog often lists items systematically for library or sales purposes, detailing each item's characteristics, while an index is a list of keywords or phrases found in a document, guiding to relevant page numbers.
Difference Between Catalog and Index
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A catalog typically organizes and describes a collection of items, such as books in a library or products in a store, providing detailed information to aid in selection. On the other hand, an index is a reference tool found at the end of books and documents, listing important terms and the pages on which they appear.
Catalogs are often used for the purpose of browsing and discovering items within a particular collection or for making purchasing decisions, as they include descriptions, images, and other relevant details. Whereas, indexes serve primarily as a navigational aid within a document, helping readers locate specific information quickly without reading the entire content.
In a catalog, items can be grouped by various categories such as genre, author, or product type, which facilitates easier browsing and selection based on preferences or needs. Conversely, an index is typically organized alphabetically, focusing on keywords and does not group content by topic or theme.
Catalogs are dynamic and can be updated regularly to include new additions, remove outdated entries, and adjust to changing inventories or collections. Indexes, however, are static and reflect the content of a document at the time it was created, with changes only occurring during revisions of the document itself.
While both tools are essential for information retrieval, catalogs are generally associated with libraries, bookstores, or online shopping platforms, emphasizing user interaction and engagement. Indexes are more academic or professional in nature, essential in scholarly books, research documents, and legal texts, where precision in finding information is crucial.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Purpose
Lists items for browsing or purchasing
Lists keywords for quick reference
Organization
By category, author, or type
Alphabetically by keywords
Content
Descriptions, images, prices
Keywords and page numbers
Usage
Libraries, stores
Books, academic papers
Dynamic/Static
Dynamic, regularly updated
Static, reflects document at creation
Compare with Definitions
Catalog
A systematic list of items for sale.
She browsed the seed catalog to plan her spring garden.
Index
A list of words or phrases with page references in a book.
He checked the index to find where the topic was discussed.
Catalog
A collection of library materials.
The online catalog helps students find books quickly.
Index
A tool for locating information in documents.
The index of the book was meticulously detailed.
Catalog
A publication containing details about products.
The holiday catalog featured a wide range of toys.
Index
A list used for reference or retrieval.
The index at the back of the textbook is quite comprehensive.
Catalog
A database of items in a collection.
The museum’s catalog is accessible digitally.
Index
A database capability to speed searches.
The database index improves query performance significantly.
Catalog
A detailed listing of artistic works.
The artist’s catalog includes over 200 paintings.
Index
An indicator or measure of something.
The consumer price index measures inflation.
Catalog
A list or itemized display, as of titles, course offerings, or articles for exhibition or sale, usually including descriptive information or illustrations.
Index
An alphabetized list of names, places, and subjects treated in a printed work, giving the page or pages on which each item is mentioned.
Catalog
A publication, such as a book or pamphlet, containing such a list or display
A catalog of fall fashions.
A seed catalog.
Index
A thumb index.
Catalog
A list or enumeration
A catalog of complaints.
Index
A table, file, or catalog.
Catalog
A card catalog.
Index
(Computers) A list of keywords associated with a record or document, used especially as an aid in searching for information.
Catalog
To make an itemized list of
Catalog a record collection.
Index
Something that reveals or indicates; a sign
"Her face ... was a fair index to her disposition" (Samuel Butler).
Catalog
To list or include in a catalog.
Index
A character (☞) used in printing to call attention to a particular paragraph or section. Also called hand.
Catalog
To classify (a book or publication, for example) according to a categorical system.
Index
An indicator or pointer, as on a scientific instrument.
Catalog
To make a catalog.
Index
(Mathematics) A number or symbol, often written as a subscript or superscript to a mathematical expression, that indicates an operation to be performed, an ordering relation, or a use of the associated expression.
Catalog
To be listed in a catalog
An item that catalogs for 200 dollars.
Index
A number derived from a formula, used to characterize a set of data.
Catalog
(American spelling) catalogue
Index
A statistical value that represents the price or value of an aggregate of goods, services, wages, or other measurable quantities in comparison with a reference number for a previous period of time.
Catalog
Catalogue.
Index
A number that represents the change in price or value of stocks or other securities in a particular market, sector, or asset class.
Catalog
A book or pamphlet containing an enumeration of things;
He found it in the Sears catalog
Index
The stocks or other securities represented by an index.
Catalog
A complete list of things; usually arranged systematically;
It does not pretend to be a catalogue of his achievements
Index
Index Roman Catholic Church A list formerly published by Church authority, restricting or forbidding the reading of certain books.
Catalog
Make a catalogue, compile a catalogue of something
Index
To furnish with an index
Index a book.
Catalog
Make a catalog of
Index
To enter in an index.
Index
To indicate or signal.
Index
To adjust through indexation.
Index
An alphabetical listing of items and their location.
The index of a book lists words or expressions and the pages of the book upon which they are to be found.
Index
The index finger; the forefinger.
Index
A movable finger on a gauge, scale, etc.
Index
(typography) A symbol resembling a pointing hand, used to direct particular attention to a note or paragraph.
Index
That which points out; that which shows, indicates, manifests, or discloses.
Index
A sign; an indication; a token.
Index
(linguistics) A type of noun where the meaning of the form changes with respect to the context; e.g., 'Today's newspaper' is an indexical form since its referent will differ depending on the context. See also icon and symbol.
Index
(economics) A single number calculated from an array of prices or of quantities.
Index
(science) A number representing a property or ratio; a coefficient.
Index
(mathematics) A raised suffix indicating a power.
Index
An integer or other key indicating the location of data, e.g. within an array, vector, database table, associative array, or hash table.
Index
A data structure that improves the performance of operations on a table.
Index
(obsolete) A prologue indicating what follows.
Index
(transitive) To arrange an index for something, especially a long text.
MySQL does not index short words and common words.
Index
To inventory; to take stock.
Index
To normalise in order to account for inflation; to correct for inflation by linking to a price index in order to maintain real levels.
Index
To measure by an associated value.
Index
To be indexical for (some situation or state of affairs); to indicate.
Index
(computing) To access a value in a data container by an index.
Index
That which points out; that which shows, indicates, manifests, or discloses; as, the increasing unemployment rate is an index of how much the economy has slowed.
Tastes are the indexes of the different qualities of plants.
Index
That which guides, points out, informs, or directs; a pointer or a hand that directs to anything, as the hand of a watch, a movable finger or other form of pointer on a gauge, scale, or other graduated instrument.
Index
A table for facilitating reference to topics, names, and the like, in a book, usually giving the page on which a particular word or topic may be found; - usually alphabetical in arrangement, and printed at the end of the volume. Typically found only in non-fiction books.
Index
A prologue indicating what follows.
Index
The second finger, that next to the pollex (thumb), in the manus, or hand; the forefinger; index finger.
Index
The figure or letter which shows the power or root of a quantity; the exponent.
Index
The ratio, or formula expressing the ratio, of one dimension of a thing to another dimension; as, the vertical index of the cranium.
Index
A number providing a measure of some quantity derived by a formula, usually a form of averaging, from multiple quantities; - used mostly in economics; as, the index of leading indicators; the index of industrial production; the consumer price index. See, for example, the consumer price index.
Index
A file containing a table with the addresses of data items, arranged for rapid and convenient search for the addresses.
Index
A number which serves as a label for a data item and also represents the address of a data item within a table or array.
Index
The Index prohibitorius, a catalogue of books which are forbidden by the church to be read; also called Index of forbidden books and Index Librorum Prohibitorum.
Index
To provide with an index or table of references; to put into an index; as, to index a book, or its contents.
Index
To adjust (wages, prices, taxes, etc.) automatically so as to compensate for changes in prices, usually as measured by the consumer price index or other economic measure. Its purpose is usually to copensate for inflation.
Index
To insert (a word, name, file folder, etc.) into an index or into an indexed arrangement; as, to index a contract under its date of signing.
Index
A numerical scale used to compare variables with one another or with some reference number
Index
A number or ratio (a value on a scale of measurement) derived from a series of observed facts; can reveal relative changes as a function of time
Index
A mathematical notation indicating the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself
Index
An alphabetical listing of names and topics along with page numbers where they are discussed
Index
The finger next to the thumb
Index
List in an index
Index
Provide with an index;
Index the book
Index
Adjust through indexation;
The government indexes wages and prices
Common Curiosities
What information does an index provide?
An index provides a list of keywords and the corresponding page numbers where these terms can be found in a document.
How is a catalog organized?
Catalogs are typically organized by categories such as genre, author, or product type, making it easier to browse.
Why is an index important in books?
An index is crucial for quickly locating specific information within a book without having to read it entirely.
What is the difference between a catalog and a table of contents?
A catalog lists items for purchase or borrowing, with detailed descriptions, while a table of contents lists the chapters and sections of a book or document.
Can catalogs be found online?
Yes, many catalogs are available online, particularly for libraries and online stores, allowing for digital browsing.
Is an index always found in books?
Not all books have indexes; they are typically found in academic, research, or comprehensive books where detailed navigation is needed.
Are catalogs only used for products?
No, catalogs can also list library materials, art collections, and other assortments of items, not just commercial products.
Can an index include more than just page numbers?
Traditionally, indexes include only keywords and page numbers, but some modern indexes may also provide brief descriptions or annotations.
How often are catalogs updated?
Catalogs, especially digital ones, are updated regularly to reflect new items, stock changes, or new information.
What is a catalog used for?
A catalog is used to list and describe items, aiding in selection and purchase, particularly in libraries and stores.
What makes a good catalog?
A good catalog is well-organized, visually appealing, and provides sufficient information to help users make decisions about items.
Can an index be automated?
Yes, index creation can be automated with software, though human oversight is often necessary to ensure accuracy and relevance.
How does a catalog differ from a brochure?
A catalog typically lists a wide range of items systematically, while a brochure is more promotional and focuses on a smaller selection of products or services.
What makes a good index?
A good index is comprehensive, accurate, and well-organized, making it easy to locate information in a document.
Who creates an index?
An index is usually created by the author, an editor, or a professional indexer specialized in this task.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Lakh vs. Lac
Next Comparison
Dory vs. SkiffAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
