1. A method of repartitioning data in a database stored on a data storage device connected to a computer, the method comprising the steps of: detecting that a partitioning scheme for the data has been altered when a partitioning index is altered, which specifies one or more partitions and a limit key for each partition, wherein the limit key defines a range of values for a partition; identifying adjacent partitions that would be affected by the altered partitioning scheme; restricting access to each of the identified partitions without restricting access to other partitions; and reorganizing the identified partitions based on the altered partitioning scheme, by moving data between the identified partitions while allowing access to other partitions.