What is a Schema in Oracle and How is it Different from a User?

In Oracle Database, a schema is a collection of database objects owned by a specific user. It is essentially a logical container for grouping and managing objects such as tables, views, indexes, and stored procedures.

A schema is created automatically when a user is created in Oracle. However, a user is an account that allows individuals to access the Oracle database. Users can have permissions to access multiple schemas or even create their own schema within the database.

While a user is associated with authentication and authorization, a schema is more related to the organization and structure of database objects. A user can own one or more schemas, but a schema can only be owned by one user.

Therefore, in Oracle Database, a user is essentially an account used for authentication and authorization purposes, while a schema is a logical container for organizing and managing database objects.