Functions/ Role of Data Base Administrator:

Functions/ Role of Data Base Administrator:

1.     Schema Definition:

The DBA defines the logical Schema of the database. A Schema refers to the overall logical structure of the database. According to this schema, database will be developed to store required data for an organization.

2.     Makes decisions concerning the content of the database:

It is the DBA's job to decide exactly what information is to be held in the database. In other words, to identify the entities of interest to the enterprise and to identify information to be recorded about those entities.

3.     Plans storage structures and access strategies:

The DBA must also decide how the data is to be represented in the database, and must specify the representation by writing the storage structure definition (using the internal data definition language).

4.    Provides support to users:

It is the responsibility of the DBA to provide support to the users, to ensure that the data they require is available, and to write the necessary external schemas (using the appropriate external data definition language).

5.     Defines security and integrity checks:

DBA is responsible for providing the authorization and authentication checks such that no malicious users can access database and it must remain protected. DBA must also ensure the integrity of the database.

6.    Interprets backup and recovery strategies:

In the event of damage to any portion of the database-caused by human error or a failure in the hardware or supporting operating system - it is essential to be able to repair the data concerned with a minimum of delay and with as little effect as possible on the rest of the system.

The DBA must define and implement an appropriate recovery strategy to recover he database from all types of failures.

7.     Monitoring performance and responding to changes in requirements:

The DBA is responsible for organizing the system as to get the performance that is "best for the organization," and for making the appropriate adjustments as requirements change.

Skills require for DBA:

(1) A good knowledge of the operating system(s)

(2) A good knowledge of physical database design

(3) Ability to perform both DBMS and also operating system performance monitoring and the necessary adjustments.

(4) Be able to provide a strategic database direction for the organization.

(5) Excellent knowledge of backup and recovery scenarios.

(6) Good skills in all tools.

(7) A good knowledge of security management.

(8) A good knowledge of how DBMS acquires and manages resources.

(9) Sound knowledge of the applications at your site.

(10) Experience and knowledge in migrating code, database changes, data and Menus through the various stages of the development life cycle.

(11) A good knowledge of the way enforces data integrity.

(12) A sound knowledge of both database and program code performance tuning.

(13) A DBA should possess a sound understanding of the business.

(14) A DBA should have sound communication skills with management, development teams, vendors, systems administrators and other related service providers.

-profshardulp.patil@gmail.com

Users of DBMS

Users of DBMS:

Database users are the one who really use and take the benefits of database. There will be different types of users depending on their need and way of accessing the database.

1.      Database Administrator (DBA)

2.      Application programmers

3.      System Analyst

4.      End users

1.      Database Administrator (DBA):

Database Administrator (DBA) is the person or a group of persons who makes the strategic and policy decisions regarding the data of the enterprise, and who provide the necessary technical support for implementing these decisions. Therefore, DBA is responsible for overall control of the system at a technical level. In database environment, the primary resource is the database itself and the secondary resource is the DBMS and related software administering these resources is the responsibility of the Database Administrator (DBA).

2.      Application programmers:

As its name shows, application programmers are the one who writes application programs that uses the database. These users write application programs to interact with the database. Application programs can be written in some programming language such a C++,VB, ASP, .Net, JAVA or some higher level fourth generation language. Such programs access the database by issuing the appropriate request, typically a SQL statement to DBMS. These programs meet the user requirement and made according to user requirements. Retrieving information, creating new information and changing existing information is done by these application programs.

They interact with DBMS through DML (Data manipulation language) calls. And all these functions are performed by generating a request to the DBMS. If application programmers are not there then there will be no creativity in the whole team of Database.

3.      System Analyst:

System Analyst determines the requirement of end users, especially naive and parametric end users and develops specifications for transactions that meet these requirements. System Analyst gathers information according to user requirements needed to develop a solution on it. System Analyst plays a major role in database design, its properties; the structure prepares the system requirement statement, which involves the feasibility aspect, economic aspect, technical aspect etc. of the system.

4.      End users:

End users are those who access the database from the terminal end. End users are the users, who use the applications developed. End users need not know about the working, database design, the access mechanism etc. They just use the system to get their task done. There are basically two types of end users:

A.    Casual User:

These users have great knowledge of query language. Casual users access data by entering different queries from the terminal end. They do not write programs but they can interact with the system by writing queries.

      B.     Naive User:

Any user who does not have any knowledge about database can be in this category. Their task is to just use the developed application and get the desired results.     

-profshardulp.patil@gmail.com