# Document for define an ElasticSearch index **URL:** \ **Category:** Elasticsearch\ **Created:** [August 14, 2015, 12:15am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/document-for-define-an-elasticsearch-index/27354 "2015-08-14T00:15:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![linlma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ec9cab/32.png) [@linlma](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/linlma)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 12:15am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/document-for-define-an-elasticsearch-index/27354/1 "2015-08-14T00:15:33Z")
Hello Elastic Search experts, Tried to find a complete guide of JSON format for how to define an ElasticSearch index. But can only find some ad-hoc samples, and if anyone have any good documents, appreciate for sharing. thanks in advance, Lin ---
**Author:** ![Joshua\_Rich](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/joshua_rich/32/44953_2.png) [@Joshua\_Rich](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Joshua_Rich)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/document-for-define-an-elasticsearch-index/27354/2 "2015-08-14T02:09:35Z")
You don't really need to use JSON to create an index, a simple `PUT foobar` REST API call would create an index called _foobar_. If you are knew to Elasticsearch and you've already got it installed and running, I'd suggest you start reading at the [Finding your feet](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/guide/current/_finding_your_feet.html) chapter of the definitive guide and follow that through. It will guide you through some basic concepts like creating an index, indexing a document and search for that document. It should hopefully get you started and show you where JSON comes into play. ---
**Author:** ![linlma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ec9cab/32.png) [@linlma](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/linlma)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 3:43am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/document-for-define-an-elasticsearch-index/27354/3 "2015-08-14T03:43:38Z")
Thanks @Joshua_Rich, I read through the document, and I met with issues like how to find what means \_source, what means \_all when define an index? If you know where can find the reference for them, it will be great. regards, Lin ---
**Author:** ![Joshua\_Rich](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/joshua_rich/32/44953_2.png) [@Joshua\_Rich](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Joshua_Rich)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 4:19am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/document-for-define-an-elasticsearch-index/27354/4 "2015-08-14T04:19:04Z")
All of the documentation is available on the Elastic web site, you can easily [search](https://www.elastic.co/search?q=) through it to find snippets of information like this. However, it sounds like you are just beginning with Elasticsearch, so I'd highly recommend just reading the [Definitive Guide](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/guide/current/index.html) to get up to speed about how Elasticsearch is designed and what things like `_source` and `_all` are for, rather than randomly picking up bits here and there. As you read through the guide, you will hopefully begin to understand a lot more and you can always come here to the forums for any further clarification 😄 ---
**Author:** ![linlma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ec9cab/32.png) [@linlma](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/linlma)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 7:45am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/document-for-define-an-elasticsearch-index/27354/5 "2015-08-14T07:45:25Z")
Very helpful, thanks @Joshua_Rich! Have a good night, Lin ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/original/3X/1/a/1ac57faf039f6b580b3f104ef42a2a89e41014de.png) [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/document-for-define-an-elasticsearch-index/27354/6 "2017-07-05T23:55:51Z")