What is Data Independence?

Data independence is a form of database management that keeps data separated from all programs that make use of the data.

As a cornerstone for the idea of a DBMS or database management system, data independence ensures that the data cannot be redefined or reorganized by any of the programs that make use of the data.

While data transparency still exists as far as the ability of different applications to access and use the data for completing tasks, no program or application can read and then begin to make changes to the data itself.

The ability of the data to be modified by the program, and vice versa, means that the data is not considered constant and may be changed either by initiating the change through modifications to the source code or through using the program in other ways to adapt the core data.

One of the functions of data independence is to restrict access to the storage structure of the data by the user applications.

Logical data independence makes it possible to change the structure of the data independently of modifying the applications or programs that make use of the data.

The second type or level of data independence is known as physical data independence. This approach has to do with altering the organization or storage procedures related to the data, rather than modifying the data itself.