What is a database schema?

 

What is a database schema?

A database schema is the logical configuration for all or part of a relational data base. It can be represented visually or as a set formulas, known as integrity constraints. These formulas can be expressed in a data language such as SQL. A database schema is part of a data dictionary. It describes how entities within the database interact with each other, such as views, tables, stored procedures and more.

What is a database schema

Schemas for logical and physical databases
A database designer usually creates a schema for programmers to use in interacting with the database. Data modeling is the process of creating a database structure. This step is required if you are following the three-schema approach for database design. Conceptual schemas are more concerned with an organization's informational requirements than the database structure.
There are two types of database schemas:

1.A logical schema is a description of the constraints that are applied to stored data. It can define integrity constraints, views and tables.

2.A physical database schema describes how data is physically stored on a storage device in terms of files or indices.

A database schema is the basic information about the database. It indicates the tables and relations that make up the database as well as the fields on each table. Hence, entities-relationship diagram and schema diagram can often be interchanged.

Schema in Oracle Database System:-
The term database schema is used in the Oracle database system to refer to the SQL schema. A database can have multiple schemas, or "schemata", if you want to get fancy. Each schema contains all objects created by the database user. These objects can include tables, views and synonyms. Some objects, such as users and contexts, roles, directory objects, cannot be included in a schema.


Schema in Oracle Database System

schema relational database
Individual schemas can be granted to users on a case by case basis. Ownership is transferable. Each object is associated to a specific schema. This serves as a type of namespace. It's useful to provide synonyms to allow other users to access the object without having to refer to the schema.
These schemas don't necessarily show the physical storage locations of the datafiles. Schema objects are stored logically within the tablespace. A database administrator can determine how much space to allocate to an object in a datafile.
Last but not least, schemas and tablesspaces aren't always in sync: objects from one schema may be found in multiple tablespaces while objects from another schema can be found within a tablespace.
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What is a database schema?



Is it a database instance or a database schema?
Although they are often used interchangeably, these terms do not refer to the same thing. A database schema is a plan of a database. It doesn't contain any data.
A database instance is, however, a snapshot of a database at a specific time. Database instances can change over time while a schema is static. This is because it's hard to modify a database structure once it is operational.
A database management system (DBMS) can impact both database schemas and instances. The DBMS ensures that each database instance complies to the constraints set by the database schema designers.
Integration requirements for Schema
Multiple sources can be integrated into one schema. These requirements must be met to ensure a smooth transition.

Preservation by overlap
Each element that overlaps in the schemas that you are integrating must be stored in a table schema.
Extended overlap preservation
It is important to copy elements that appear only in one source but are associated with multiple elements, to the resulting schema.
Separate relationships and entities shouldn't be combined in one table of the database schema.
Ideal if all elements are preserved from the sources.
Different types of database schemas
In designing database schemas, certain patterns have been established.
Star schema, which is the most popular, is also one of the easiest. It links one or more fact tables to any number of dimension tables. This is best for simple queries.
A multidimensional database can also be represented using the snowflake schema. This pattern however uses the same dimensions to create the snowflake-like effect.

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