Schema Change Operations

Techniques are disclosed in which a computer system implements schema changes for existing database objects by maintaining a logical name and a current physical name corresponding to an existing database object, where the logical name points to the current physical name. The system receives a schema change request specifying the logical name and format changes for the existing object. The system performs a schema change operation in response to the request, including: creating a new database object having a new physical name, copying and transforming data from the existing object to the new object according to the format changes, mirroring new writes directed to the logical name to both the existing and new objects, and causing the logical name to point to the new physical name instead of the current physical name after completing the copying. The system responds to subsequent queries, specifying the logical name, from the new object.