Difference between a segment and a block in IMS database

Segments and blocks are components of the IMS database structure. Here is the difference between them:

Segment:

A segment in IMS database refers to a logical grouping of related fields or records within a database. It represents a unit of data that is related to a specific entity or record in the database.

Block:

A block in IMS database is a physical storage unit used to store segments. It consists of multiple segments grouped together and is the smallest unit of data transfer between the IMS database and application programs.

In summary, segments are logical groupings of data within the database, while blocks are physical units used to store and transfer segments within the IMS database system.