Difference between Selection and Projection in DBMS

Prerequisite – Relational Algebra
1. Selection :
This operation chooses the subset of tuples from the relation that satisfies the given condition mentioned in the syntax of selection.

Notation –

σc (R)

Here, ‘c’ is selection condition and ‘σ (sigma)’ is used to denote Select Operator.

2. Projection :
This operation selects certain required attributes, while discarding other attributes.

Notation –

πA (R)

where ‘A’ is the attribute list, it is the desired set of attributes from the attributes of relation(R),
symbol ‘π(pi)’  is used to denote the Project operator,
R is generally a relational algebra expression, which results in a relation.

Difference between Selection and Projection in DBMS

S. No.	Category	Selection	Projection
1.	Other Names	The selection operation is also known as horizontal partitioning.	The Project operation is also known as vertical partitioning.
2.	Use	It is used to choose the subset of tuples from the relation that satisfies the given condition mentioned in the syntax of selection.	It is used to select certain required attributes, while discarding other attributes.
3.	Partitioning	It partitions the table horizontally.	It partitions the table vertically.
4.	Which used first	The selection operation is performed before projection (if they are to be used together).	The projection operation is performed after selection (if they are to be used together).
5.	Operator Used	Select operator is used in Selection Operation.	Project operator is used in Projection Operation.
6.	Operator Symbol	Select operator is denoted by Sigma symbol.	Project operator is denoted by Pi symbol.
7.	Commutative	Selection is commutative.	Projection is not commutative.
8.	Column Selection	Select is used to select all columns of a specific tuple.	Project is used to select specific columns.
9.	SQL Statements used	SELECT, FROM, WHERE	SELECT, FROM