replicatieschemas

Replicatieschemas are formal specifications that describe how data is copied from one system to another to keep datasets synchronized. They are used in database environments, data warehouses, and integration platforms to support operations such as disaster recovery, regional analytics, and real-time data sharing. A replicatieschema defines the scope and rules for replication, providing a blueprint that governs how data moves between sources and targets.

Key elements of replicatieschemas include the source and target schemas, mappings for tables and columns, and any required data type conversions or transformations. They specify which data is replicated (full versus incremental), the capture method (for example log-based or trigger-based), and the replication mode (synchronous or asynchronous). The schema also describes conflict resolution policies, handling of keys, and the treatment of inserts, updates, and deletes. Additional rules may cover data filtering, masking, enrichment, and the management of metadata, versioning, and auditing.

Types and approaches vary: some replicatieschemas are focused on aligning business-friendly representations (logical replication schemas), while others focus on preserving exact physical structures (physical replication schemas). In practice, replication may be streaming, batch-based, or a combination of both, and often relies on dedicated tools or platforms for change data capture, log shipping, or snapshot replication.

Design and maintenance involve version-controlled definitions, staging and testing before deployment, and ongoing monitoring to address schema drift and evolution. Challenges include compatibility across heterogeneous systems, performance impact, and ensuring data quality during propagation.