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A B-tree index is a self-balancing tree data structure designed for storing and retrieving data efficiently in databases and file systems. It keeps data sorted and allows for fast insertions, deletions, and searches in logarithmic time, even with massive datasets, which is why it's a go-to for handling real-world applications like e-commerce searches. In modern usage, variations like B+ trees add extra layers for even better performance in disk-based storage.
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