Unit-1
Introduction to Database system
(Levels of Data, Data Independence)
Dr. Virendra Singh Kushwah
Senior Assistant Professor Grade-I
School of Computing Science and Engineering
[email protected] What is Data Independence of DBMS?
• Data Independence is defined as a property of DBMS that helps
you to change the Database schema at one level of a database
system without requiring to change the schema at the next higher
level. Data independence helps you to keep data separated from all
programs that make use of it.
• In DBMS there are two types of data independence
• Physical data independence
• Logical data independence.
Levels of Database
Physical Data Independence
• Physical data independence helps you to separate conceptual levels from
the internal/physical levels. It allows you to provide a logical description
of the database without the need to specify physical structures.
Compared to Logical Independence, it is easy to achieve physical data
independence.
• With Physical independence, you can easily change the physical storage
structures or devices with an effect on the conceptual schema. Any
change done would be absorbed by the mapping between the conceptual
and internal levels. Physical data independence is achieved by the
presence of the internal level of the database and then the
transformation from the conceptual level of the database to the internal
level.
Examples of changes under Physical
Data Independence
• Using a new storage device like Hard Drive or Magnetic Tapes
• Modifying the file organization technique in the Database
• Switching to different data structures.
• Changing the access method.
• Modifying indexes.
• Changes to compression techniques or hashing algorithms.
• Change of Location of Database from say C drive to D Drive
Logical Data Independence
• Logical Data Independence is the ability to change the conceptual scheme
without changing
• External views
• External API or programs
• Any change made will be absorbed by the mapping between external and
conceptual levels.
• When compared to Physical Data independence, it is challenging to achieve
logical data independence.
Examples of changes under Logical
Data Independence
• Add/Modify/Delete a new attribute, entity or relationship is possible
without a rewrite of existing application programs
• Merging two records into one
• Breaking an existing record into two or more records
