Index compared to an concordance

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Although we speak of the sequence of tasks we perform when indexing-some of them physical, some mental-as the mechanics of the job, the process is far from mechanical in any literal sense. There are, of course, indexes that are mechanically-or better, electronically-produced, One kind of electronic indexing system is referred to as the concordance generator. Such a program provides the computer with a list of words to be excluded-articles, prepositions, and conjunctions, for example-and commands the computer to record every occurrence of every word not excluded. The words are recorded in alphabetical order and, or multiple occurrences, in order of occurrence. The printout is thus indeed a concordance and cannot in any way substitute for a real index prepared with the aid of human intelligence. At present, indexes cannot be electronically made, for the decisions required are of a far higher order than computers are yet capable of. (14^th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style 17:25)

An example of a concordance (Warning, large file)

Every serious book of nonfiction should have an index if it is to achieve its maximum usefulness. A good index records every pertinent statement made within the body of the text. The subject matter and purpose of the book determine which statements are pertinent and which peripheral. An index should be considerably more than an expanded, alphabetical table of contents. It should also be something other than a concordance of words and phrases. (Chicago Manual of Style 17:1)

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