Space (whether permanent, spool, or temporary) is measured in bytes. The following table lists the three types of database space.
| Type of Space | Description |
|---|---|
| Permanent (PERM) | Permanent space allocated to a user or database is a repository for database objects, for example, tables, indexes, and journals. Perm space can be defined as a fixed quantity or as a constant expression. When an object is created or data rows are inserted, the system allocates space as needed from the PERM space of the immediate owner. The space is returned automatically when no longer needed. Perm space allocated to a user or database that is unused is available for use as spool or temporary space.
A database or user with no PERM space can still own views, triggers, and macros but cannot have objects that require space such as tables, UDFs, stored procedures, HIs, JIs, or journals. |
| Spool | Spool space holds intermediate query results or formatted answer sets to queries and volatile tables. The system can use unassigned PERM space for spool space. When a user creates new users or databases, the amount of spool space for those new objects must not exceed the spool space limit of their immediate owner. If you do not specify a spool space limit, a new user automatically inherits the spool limit of its parent. To more easily manage spool space, define the value for spool in a profile. You can then assign a profile to users so all users inherit the spool space definition. |
| Temporary (TEMP) | Temp space defines the number of bytes the system uses to store data for global temporary tables. The value you specify must not exceed the value of the immediate parent at the time of creation. If you do not specify a value, the maximum value defaults to that of the parent. Global temporary tables require both PERM and TEMP space. The database/user must have adequate perm space to accommodate the global temporary table header on each AMP. Table header size varies by table definition and the maximum size for a table header is 1 MB. Temp space is required for storing the actual rows.
To more easily manage TEMP space, define its value in a profile. You can then assign a group of users to this profile and all users inherit the TEMP space definition. |
You can manage space using Teradata SQL.