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Developer Dictionary

Schema

Definition

The organization or structure for a database.

Deep Dive

In the context of databases, a schema is the logical blueprint or organization that defines the structure of the entire database. It specifies how data is organized, including the tables, fields within those tables, the data types for each field, the relationships between tables, constraints (like primary and foreign keys), and other database objects like views, indexes, and stored procedures. Essentially, it acts as a formal description of the data model, ensuring consistency and integrity across the database.

Examples & Use Cases

  • 1The table definitions (columns, data types, relationships) in a SQL database
  • 2An XML document's structure defined by an XSD (XML Schema Definition) file
  • 3The JSON structure required by an API endpoint for incoming data.

Related Terms

Data ModelRelational DatabaseData Dictionary

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