Why can creating indexes lead to slower insert, update, or delete operations?

Creating indexes can indeed lead to slower insert, update, or delete operations because they require more processing power and memory. When a database has indexes, every time a row is inserted, updated, or deleted, the database management system must not only handle the data operation itself but also update the corresponding indexes to reflect these changes. This means additional processing is needed to maintain the integrity and accuracy of the index data.

For instance, if an index is present on a column in a table, then each time a row is altered, the database must find the index associated with that column and update it, which adds overhead. This can be particularly noticeable in high-transaction environments where rapid data modifications are occurring frequently. Therefore, while indexes can greatly enhance query performance by speeding up data retrieval, they come with a trade-off when it comes to data modification operations.

The idea that indexes increase database size and compatibility concerns are actual considerations but, they do not directly address the performance impact on data modification operations. Additionally, the notion of indexes corrupting existing data does not reflect standard database behavior, where indexes are meant to enhance data retrieval and consistency, rather than compromise it.