Both of these help in describing the data available in a database, but there is a fundamental difference between Schema and Instance in DBMS. Schema refers to the overall description of any given database. Instance basically refers to a collection of data and information that the database stores at any particular moment. There are more ways in which both of these differ, and in this article, we will discuss the same. Read ahead to learn more.
What are Instances?
These refer to a collection of all the information and data stored at any given moment. One can easily change these instances using certain CRUD operations, such as deletion and addition of data and information.
You must note that no search queries make any changes in any instances.
What is a Schema?
It refers to an overall description that we get for any given database. In simpler words, schema refers to the basic structure of how one needs to store data in any database. There are basically two types of Schema: Physical Schema and Logical Schema.
Physical Schema – This schema describes the DB designed at a physical level.
Logical Schema – This schema describes the DB designed at a logical level.
Difference Between Schema and Instance in DBMS
Here is a list of the differences between Schema and Instance in DBMS.
| Parameters | Schema in DBMS | Instance in DBMS |
| Meaning | Schema refers to the overall description of any given database. | Instance basically refers to a collection of data and information that the database stores at any particular moment. |
| Alterations | The schema remains the same for the entire database as a whole. | One can change the instances of data and information in a database using updation, deletion, and addition. |
| Frequency of Change | It does not change very frequently. | It changes very frequently. |
| Uses | We use Schema for defining the basic structure of any given database. It defines how the available needs to get stored. | We use Instance for referring to a set of information at any given instance/ time. |
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