Database Reference
In-Depth Information
quickly. Application developers contain several tools to develop even the most
complex of applications within a reasonably short time.
Communications Interface
Some database management systems have separate modules for establishing and
managing communications among databases running on different computer systems
and under multiple operating systems. The databases may be distributed among
various locations.
Communications interface modules interact with the operating system and
network software to initiate and manage the connections. They manage the data
flow across databases; they promote true global data sharing.
Another aspect of the communications interface is the link with traditional
programming languages. Programs written in traditional languages like COBOL or
C++ are able to establish links with the database through the communication
interface, which in turn interacts with the query processor.
Utilities
No modern database management system is complete without a comprehensive
set of utility programs and interface modules. Most commercial vendors have
enhanced their DBMSs and equipped them with rich sets of utility tools. This set of
tools and interface modules is commonly known as the toolkit portion of database
software. The toolkit is primarily intended for database administrators to perform
their various functions. Database environments are much more broad and complex
than file-oriented systems. Data sharing also implies proper authorization for data
retrieval and update. Organizations cannot afford to be without their databases
even for a short time.
Quick recovery from disasters and malfunctions is
mandatory.
Figure 2-13 presents the types of utility tools and interface modules.
Observe how the set of utilities supports the following broad areas:
Access control
Preservation of data integrity
Performance improvement
Recovery from malfunctions
Interfaces to languages, programs, and other database systems
CHAPTER SUMMARY
Most of today's organizations have adopted database environments for their
information needs.
The database environment encompasses several components, not just the data
and the software to manage it. The environment includes the following: data
repository, data dictionary, DBMS, systems software, hardware, application
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