schemaindeling

Schemaindeling is a Dutch term that translates to "schema splitting" or "schema separation" in English. It refers to a database design technique where a large, monolithic database schema is divided into smaller, more manageable, and logically cohesive sub-schemas. This approach is often employed in complex systems or when different functional areas of an application have distinct data requirements and access patterns.

The primary goal of schemaindeling is to improve database performance, maintainability, and security. By separating concerns, each sub-schema can be optimized independently for its specific workload. This can lead to reduced contention for resources, faster query execution, and simpler schema evolution. For example, a financial application might have separate schemas for customer data, transaction records, and reporting.

Implementing schemaindeling can involve various strategies. One common method is using different database schemas within the same database instance, managed by separate user accounts with specific privileges. Another approach involves creating entirely separate databases for distinct functional modules, which offers greater isolation but can introduce complexities in cross-database queries and data synchronization.

The benefits of schemaindeling include enhanced scalability, as individual schemas can be scaled independently. It also simplifies access control and security by allowing granular permissions to be applied to specific schemas. Developers can focus on a smaller subset of the database, reducing cognitive load and the likelihood of errors. However, careful planning is required to manage dependencies between schemas and ensure data consistency across the system.