Database Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 14
OVERVIEW OF ADMINISTRATION
FUNCTIONS
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
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Appreciate the importance of administering the database environment
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Study the goals and objectives of administration
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Distinguish between two aspects of administration—data and database
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Learn the major responsibilities of data and database administration
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Examine skills and training needed for the administration roles
•
Ascertain the administration responsibilities throughout the database devel-
opment life cycle
Think of an organization with a database system. When you consider any organi-
zation supported by a database system, you cannot imagine the system functioning
without the services of a database administrator (DBA). Well, who is a DBA and
what kind of specialized administration does he or she perform?
A database environment brings with it a set of new technologies and new func-
tions. Many of these are specialized functions. The DBMS (database management
system) that supports a database system is sophisticated software. You need special
knowledge and skills to install and operate a DBMS. Designing the data structures,
organizing them, and managing storage space for them call for special training. One
or more specially trained personnel must be available to administer the database
environment.
We will examine the evolution of the DBA role in database systems. You will
study the objectives and responsibilities of the administrative role. The administra-
tive role, in one form or another, continues to be necessary throughout the life cycle
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