title: ElasticSearch - what is the difference between an index template and an index pattern
body: <p>I have read an explanation to my question here:</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://discuss.elastic.co/t/whats-the-differece-between-index-pattern-and-index-template/54948" rel="noreferrer">https://discuss.elastic.co/t/whats-the-differece-between-index-pattern-and-index-template/54948</a></p>
  
  <p>However, I still don't understand the difference. When defining an index PATTERN, does it not affect index creation at all? Also, what happens if I create an index but it doesn't have a corresponding index pattern? How can I see the mapping used for an index pattern so I can know how to use the Mapping API to update it?</p>
  
  <p>And on a side note, the docs say you manage the index patterns by clicking the "Settings" and then "Indices" tab. I'm looking at Kibana and I don't see any settings tab. I can view the index patterns through the management tab, but I don't see any settings tab there</p>