Teradata - Space Concepts

There are three types of spaces available in Teradata.

Permanent Space

Permanent space is the maximum amount of space available for the user/database to hold data rows. Permanent tables, journals, fallback tables and secondary index sub-tables use permanent space.

Permanent space is not pre-allocated for the database/user. They are just defined as the maximum amount of space the database/user can use. The amount of permanent space is divided by the number of AMPs. Whenever per AMP limit exceeds, an error message is generated.

Spool Space

Spool space is the unused permanent space which is used by the system to keep the intermediate results of the SQL query. Users without spool space cannot execute any query.

Similar to Permanent space, spool space defines the maximum amount of space the user can use. Spool space is divided by the number of AMPs. Whenever per AMP limit exceeds, the user will get a spool space error.

Temp Space

Temp space is the unused permanent space which is used by Global Temporary tables. Temp space is also divided by the number of AMPs.