As one of the efficient methods of improving time and space efficiencies, the full-text index technique has been well studied in recent years. According to the implementation ways, it can be classified into three categories: Index technique, hybrid technique of index and compression, self-index technique. This paper reviews the recent researches on this topic, which include the main techniques such as inverted files, signature files, suffix trees, suffix arrays, compressed indices based on the indices mentioned above, self-index based on inverted files, and self-index based on suffix arrays. This paper also introduces the basic theories, problems, progress as well as space and time efficiencies of these techniques. Through a detailed efficiency analysis and comparison, the pros and cons of the techniques are given. Finally, the important features of these techniques are summarized, and the future research strategies and trends directions are pointed out as well.