What is Data Abstraction?
Data Abstraction means hiding the complex details of how data is stored and
maintained, and showing only the necessary parts to the user.
In simple terms:
Users don’t need to know how data is stored, they only need to see what they need.
Real-Life Example:
You use a mobile phone every day:
• You see the icons and screen (what you need)
• But you don’t know (and don’t need to know) how the internal circuits or
software work.
This is abstraction — show only what is needed, hide the rest.
Why is Data Abstraction Important?
• Makes the system easier to use
• Helps in better data security
• Allows different views for different users
• Hides unnecessary technical complexity
Three Levels of Data Abstraction in DBMS
DBMS uses three levels of abstraction to organize data:
Physical Level (Lowest level)
Describes how data is actually stored in the database system.
What it includes:
• File paths
• Data blocks
• Storage format (binary, text, etc.)
Who uses it?
• Database administrators
• System engineers
Example:
• Data stored in a binary format in a .dat file on Disk D:\
Logical Level (Middle level)
Describes what data is stored and what relationships exist between data.
What it includes:
• Table names
• Fields (columns)
• Data types
• Relationships between tables
Who uses it?
• Database designers and developers
Example:
CREATE TABLE Student (
StudentID INT,
Name VARCHAR(50),
Age INT
);
This defines the structure, not how or where the data is stored.
View Level (Highest level)
Describes only the part of the database that a particular user needs to see.
What it includes:
• Custom views or reports
• Hides unwanted columns or sensitive data
Who uses it?
• End users (students, staff, customers)
Example:
CREATE VIEW StudentNames AS
SELECT Name FROM Student;
This view shows only the Name column — hiding StudentID and Age.
Visual Diagram of Data Abstraction:
+---------------------+
| View Level | <-- What the user sees (e.g., Name only)
+---------------------+
| Logical Level | <-- Table design, fields, data types
+---------------------+
| Physical Level | <-- How and where data is stored in memory
+---------------------+
Recap Table
Level Description Seen By Example
View Level What data the user sees End Users Only Name from
Student table
Logical What data is stored and Developers Table with ID, Name,
Level relationships Age
Physical How data is stored in DBA/System Data in binary
Level files/disks Engineer format on disk
Benefits of Data Abstraction
• Reduces complexity
• Increases security
• Makes multi-user access easier
• Provides custom views for different users
Final Definition (Simple & Perfect):
Data Abstraction in DBMS is the process of hiding the complex internal details of
data storage and showing only the required and relevant information to users at
different levels.
What is Data Independence?
Data Independence means the ability to change the data structure at one level
without affecting the next higher level.
It helps the system to be flexible and easy to maintain.
Types of Data Independence
There are two types:
Logical Data Independence
• Ability to change the logical schema (like adding/removing a column) without
changing the view level.
Example:
You add a new column Email to the Student table — but old users can still see only
Name and ID.
Physical Data Independence
• Ability to change the physical storage (like moving data to a new hard disk)
without changing the logical schema.
Example:
You change how the data is stored on disk (file system to SSD), but the table structure
and queries remain the same.
Summary Table
Type of Independence Changes Allowed What remains same
Logical Data Independence Change in table structure User views
Physical Data Independence Change in storage method Table and schema structure
Simple Real-Life Analogy
Data Abstraction:
You use a TV remote without knowing how it works inside.
That’s abstraction — only show what is needed.
Data Independence:
You change the furniture inside your room (structure), but your friends still visit the
same house (view).
The change didn’t affect their visit — that’s independence.
Final Conclusion
Concept Meaning Purpose
Hide inner details, show only required
Data Abstraction Simplicity, security
info
Concept Meaning Purpose
Data Change data structure without Flexibility, easier
Independence affecting users maintenance
