What is a characteristic of a Physical Data Model?

A Physical Data Model is defined by its specificity to a particular database environment, including both software and hardware constraints. This model reflects how data is physically stored in the database, detailing factors such as tablespaces, index structures, data types, and storage characteristics. Therefore, it incorporates specific features of the database technology being used—such as whether it is Teradata, Oracle, SQL Server, or another system—along with the hardware it operates on.

This specificity allows the physical model to enhance performance and ensure that the design accommodates the distinct capabilities and limitations of the chosen hardware infrastructure and database management system, which is essential for optimized query performance and efficient data storage.

In contrast, a logical data model serves a more abstract role, focusing on the structure of the data without regard to implementation issues, such as hardware or database-specific features. Hence, while it is crucial to understand how data is modeled across various systems, the defining trait of a Physical Data Model comes from its alignment with specific implementations rather than its independence.