Partitioning techniques are methods used to divide a dataset into smaller, more manageable segments, or partitions. This approach helps improve the efficiency of data processing and analysis by allowing systems to focus on smaller subsets of data at a time. Common partitioning techniques include range partitioning, hash partitioning, and list partitioning, each serving different use cases based on data characteristics. In databases, partitioning can enhance performance by reducing the amount of data scanned during queries. It also aids in maintenance tasks, such as backups and archiving, by allowing operations to be performed on individual partitions rather than the entire dataset.