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Difference Between Physical and Logical Data Independence

The document discusses the difference between physical and logical data independence. Physical data independence refers to separating conceptual levels from internal/physical levels, allowing changes to physical storage without affecting conceptual schemas. Logical data independence allows changing conceptual schemes without changing external views or programs.

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Ritesh Tamang
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867 views2 pages

Difference Between Physical and Logical Data Independence

The document discusses the difference between physical and logical data independence. Physical data independence refers to separating conceptual levels from internal/physical levels, allowing changes to physical storage without affecting conceptual schemas. Logical data independence allows changing conceptual schemes without changing external views or programs.

Uploaded by

Ritesh Tamang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Difference between Physical and Logical Data

Independence
1. Physical Data Independence :
The physical data independence is basically used to separate conceptual levels from the
internal/physical levels. It is easy to achieve physical data independence. With this type of
independence, user is able to change the physical storage structures or the devices which have an
effect on the conceptual schema.

Examples of changes under Physical Data Independence :


 It is by the use of 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.
 To change the compression techniques or hashing algorithms.
 To change the Location of Database from say C drive to D Drive
2. Logical Data Independence :

Logical Data Independence is used to change the conceptual scheme without changing the
following things :
 External views
 External API or programs
Examples of changes under Logical Data Independence :
 To Add/Modify/Delete a new attribute, entity or relationship is possible without a
rewrite of existing application programs
 Merging two records into one
 To break an existing record i.e to divide the record into two or more records

The importance of data independence

One of the highest advantage of databases is data independence. It means we can


change the conceptual schema at one level without affecting the data at another level. It also
means we can change the structure of a database without affecting the data required by users
and programs.
Difference between Physical and Logical Data Independence :
Physical Data Independence Logical Data Independence

It mainly concern about how the data It mainly concerned about the structure
is stored into the system. or the changing data definition.

It is difficult to retrieve because the


data is mainly dependent on the logical
It is easy to retrieve. structure of data.

As compared to the logical As compared to the physical


independence it is easy to achieve independence it is easy to achieve
physical data independence. logical data independence.

Any change at the physical level, does


not require to change at the The change in the logical level requires
application level. a change at the application level.

The modifications made at the internal The modifications made at the logical
level may or may not be needed to level is significant whenever the logical
improve the performance of the structure of the database is to be
structure. changed.

It is concerned with the internal It is concerned with the conceptual


schema. schema.

Example: Change in compression


techniques, Hashing algorithms and Example: Add/Modify or Delete a new
storage devices etc. attribute.

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