Week 5-6: Database Schema Architecture

The three schema architecture is also called ANSI/SPARC architecture or three-level architecture. This framework is used to describe the structure of a specific database system. The three schema architecture is also used to separate the user applications and physical database.

There are mainly three levels of data abstraction:

  1. Internal Level: Actual PHYSICAL storage structure and access paths.
  2. Conceptual or Logical Level: Structure and constraints for the entire database
  3. External or View level: Describes various user views