We can fairly say that in today’s day and time, the word knowledge has been replaced by the word data. And to secure this set of data, we need a secure place.
All organisations need a system to secure their set of data, and a database ensures to do it. And schema is the visual structure of the database.
Schema vs Database
The difference between schema and database is that database is a physical structure, but the schema is a logical structure that represents a database. The schema should not be modified once it is set, but the database can bear changes frequently. The database is a collection of data, and schema offers a structural view of the database.
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A schema is a form of a diagram that helps us to know and see the diagram of any database. The visual form of a database is its schema. It can get modified, but it is advised not to change often as that might make the system vulnerable.
A database is a place where a company, institution or organisation keeps all its data stored in an organised way. The database can get modified and edited as many times as wanted.
A database can keep a huge amount of data stacked together, and it uses memory to store all the data.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Schema | Database |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Schema is a visual representation of the database, it governs a database that belongs to someone. | A database is a collection of data that gets stored digitally for access. |
| Structure | It is a logical representative structure. | It is a physical structure. |
| Command | DDL commands get used in the modification of the structure of the schema. | DML commands get used in the modification of the database. |
| Data storage | The schema uses a logical structure to store data. | The database uses memory for storing data. |
| Modification | The schema should not be subjected to frequent changes. | A database can get modified often, the data gets updated regularly. |
What is Schema?
An entire database gets defined and described by a schema. This logical representation of a database helps us to understand the data. It is a set of rules that controls a database of a specific user. The objects of the database get owned by a user.
The role of schema comes on stage during the design of a database. One needs to specify schema during this time. Because if you want to change it or modify it every now and then, its organised data will get interrupted.
Schema works as a visual representation of the database, so we can see the database in a diagram form, such as the table of content and the association of the data with each other.
We can select and create a schema with the use of DDL or Data Definition Language commands. These commands will help to fix the name of the tables, their attributes and their types.
It also shows the connection between all the data present in the database.
What is Database?
A database is a type of application that helps to store a set of interrelated data in an organised and collective way. Any database retains a unique structure and data type.
The stored data of any database gets updated frequently, and this update or modification gets performed by DML.
DML or Data Manipulation Language is a command that helps to edit the data of a database. The present data in any database is called a database instance.
To generate a database, one can take the help of a computer or do it manually. The word database gets used for offline collection of data as well, but nowadays, all the databases are in digital mode.
A database can include many things. It is a compilation of schema, records, tables and indexes. A database can hold to a large amount of data, and as a result, access to all these data is easy because all the data can be found in one place, at one database.
For a better understanding, a few instances can be given, such as a database of school will hold records of all students as well as all teachers. The data about the courses and exams will also find a place in it.
Main Differences Between Schema and Database
- Schema is a system that helps to get a visual representation of the database, and a database is a system that stores all the data and keeps it organised.
- DDL commands help to modify the schema, and DML commands help to edit and modify a database.
- Schema can logically represent a database. Its structure is logical, whereas a database is a physical structure.
- The logical structure gets used as the storage of schema, and on the other hand, a database uses memory to store all the data.
- Schema is supposed to get chosen during the making of a database, and it is better not to change it very often, but the database can get changed and edited as frequently as needed.
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
