Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
2.3 Database Components
How do you determine the architecture of a building? You look at the building
blocks and the arrangement of the components in the structure. These building
blocks and their arrangement make up the building's architecture. You can look
at the overall architecture of a database environment in much the same way.
What are the pieces that make up the architecture? How do they fit together to
make a cohesive whole?
Essentially, a database environment is responsible for data storage, retrieval,
manipulation, and a wide range of support activities. The data repository con-
stitutes one piece of the overall architecture. You need specialized software to
manage and make use of the data. You need hardware to store and process the
data. You need people, including users (the data consumers) and practitioners
(personnel such as database programmers and administrators). You need proce-
dures that relate to users and processing, providing guidelines for the storage,
management, and use of data. Figure 2-8 illustrates the possible architecture of
a database environment in an organization. Pay close attention to the individual
components and how they are connected.
Figure 2-8
Practioners
Users
Application Interfaces
Procedures
Application
Software
Query/Reporting
Front-End Tools
Data
Repository
Data
Dictionary
DBMS
Systems
Software
Hardware
Database environment overall architecture.
