What Is a Schema in SQL and Advantages of Using Schema

What is Schema in SQL?

In a SQL database, a schema is a list of logical structures of data. A database user owns the schema, which has the same name as the database manager. As of SQL Server 2005, a  schema is an individual entity (container of objects) distinct from the user who constructs the object. In other words, schemas are similar to separate namespaces or containers used to handle database files. Schemas may be assigned security permissions, making them an effective method for distinguishing and defending database objects based on user access privileges. It increases the database's stability for security-related management.

Advantages of Using Schema 

Following are some of the main advantages of using a schema in SQL:

• A SQL schema can be easily transferred to another user.
• A schema may be shared by several users.
• It enables you to transfer database objects between schemas.
• We gain greater power over the access and protection of database objects.
• A user can be removed without removing the database items that are connected with the user.
• Database objects can be grouped into logical groups using schemas. This is advantageous when several people are collaborating on the same database program and the architecture team needs to keep the database tables' credibility.
• Since a schema allows for the logical aggregation of database objects, it can assist us in cases where the database object name is the same but falls into a separate logical category.

Built-in Schema

SQL Server comes with a certain predefined schema that shares the same names as the built-in database functions and users. It persists primarily for backward compatibility. Here are a few examples of built-in schema:

dbo 

guest

sys

INFORMATION_SCHEMA 

Objects in the schemas mentioned above cannot be dropped or removed. If you prefer to exclude schemas from the database, they will never appear on a new database.

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How to Create a Schema?

When objects have circular references, such as when we need to construct two tables, one with a foreign key referencing the other table, creating schemas can be useful.

You can create a schema in SQL by following the below syntax.

Syntax

CREATE SCHEMA [schema_name] [AUTHORIZATION owner_name]

[DEFAULT CHARACTER SET char_set_name]

[PATH schema_name[, ...]]

[ ANSI CREATE statements [...] ]

[ ANSI GRANT statements [...] ];

Parameters

Example

CREATE SCHEMA STUDENT AUTHORIZATION STUDENT

  CREATE TABLE DETAILS (IDNO  INT NOT NULL,

                     NAME VARCHAR(40),

                     CLASS INTEGER)

The above query will create a schema named as STUDENT and with user STUDENT as the owner of the schema. Further, the CREATE command will create the table named DETAILS under the STUDENT schema.

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How to Alter a Schema?

The ALTER SCHEMA statement is used to rename a schema or specify a new owner, who must be a pre-existing database user.

Syntax for Altering a Schema:

ALTER SCHEMA schema_name [RENAME TO new_schema_name] [OWNER TO new_user_name]

Here, new_schema_name refers to the name to which you want to rename the existing schema and new_user_name refers to the new owner of the schema.

Example:

Suppose we want to rename the previously created schema- STUDENT as STUDENT_DETAILS and pass the ownership to new user DAVID. The following query will result in the desired result.

ALTER SCHEMA STUDENT [RENAME TO STUDENT_DETAILS] [OWNER TO DAVID]

How to Drop a Schema?

The DROP SCHEMA in SQL is used to delete all tables present in that particular schema.

Syntax:

DROP SCHEMA <schema name>

Example:

If you want to delete the schema STUDENT_DETAILS, then use the following SQL query.

DROP SCHEMA STUDENT_DETAILS

Conclusion

With this we come to an end of this tutorial and it is your turn to try out the above concepts in your database. If you wish to learn more about SQL and scale up your programming career, you should definitely check out Simplilearn’s Post Graduate Program in Full Stack Web Development and enroll right away!

And in case you have any doubts, feel free to drop them in the comments section and our experts will help you out.