# Scope of properties

You use properties to configure a Derby system, database, or conglomerate.

- system-wide

  Most properties can be set on a system-wide basis; that is, you set a property for the entire system and all its databases and conglomerates, if this is applicable. Some properties, such as error handling and automatic booting, can be configured only in this way, since they apply to the entire system. (For information about the Derby system, see Derby system.)

- database-wide

  Some properties can also be set on a database-wide basis. That is, the property is true for the selected database only and not for the other databases in the system unless it is set individually within each of them.

For properties that affect conglomerates, changing the value of such properties affects only conglomerates that are created after the change. Conglomerates created earlier are unaffected.

Note: Database-wide properties are stored in the database and are simpler for deployment, in the sense that they follow the database. Database-wide properties are also recommended for security reasons when you use Derby built-in user authentication (see Derby and Security). System-wide properties can be more practical during the development process.
Parent topic: Properties overview
Related concepts
Persistence of properties
Precedence of properties
Dynamic versus static properties