1. A method comprising: receiving a data definition language command specifying a first operation to be performed with respect to a partition of a partitioned space; wherein the data definition language command specifies that the first operation is to be performed with respect to a referenced partition; wherein the referenced partition is not referenced by name in the data definition language command; wherein the referenced partition is instead referenced by at least a first value in a clause of the data definition language command that substitutes for the name; responsive to the data definition language command: selecting, from a plurality of partitions in the partitioned space, a first partition that has been assigned to store a set of values, the set of values including the first value, whereby the referenced partition is determined to be the first partition; and performing the first operation with respect to the first partition; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.