Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
would ensure that a term such as “customer” is defined and treated consistently in all cor-
porate databases. This person also works with business managers to identify who should have
read or update access to certain databases and to selected attributes within those databases.
This information is then communicated to the database administrator for implementation.
The data administrator can be a high-level position reporting to top-level managers.
Popular Database Management Systems
Some popular DBMSs for single users include Microsoft Access and FileMaker Pro. The
complete database management software market encompasses software used by professional
programmers that runs on midrange, mainframe, and supercomputers. The entire market,
including IBM, Oracle, and Microsoft, generates billions of dollars per year in revenue.
Although Microsoft rules in the desktop PC software market, its share of database software
on larger computers is small.
Like other software products, a number of open-source database systems are available,
including PostgreSQL and MySQL. Open-source software was described in Chapter 4. In
addition, many traditional database programs are now available on open-source operating
systems. The popular DB2 relational database from IBM, for example, is available on the
Linux operating system. The Sybase IQ database and other databases are also available on
the Linux operating system.
A new form of database system is emerging that some refer to as
Database as a Service
(
DaaS
) and others as Database 2.0. DaaS is similar to software as a service (SaaS). Recall that
a SaaS system is one in which the software is stored on a service provider's servers and accessed
by the client company over a network. In DaaS, the database is stored on a service provider's
servers and accessed by the client over a network, typically the Internet. In DaaS, database
administration is provided by the service provider. SaaS and DaaS are both part of the larger
cloud computing trend. Recall from Chapter 3 that cloud computing uses a giant cluster of
computers that serves as a host to run applications that require high-performance computing.
In cloud computing, all information systems and data are maintained and managed by service
providers and delivered over the Internet. Businesses and individuals are freed from having
to install, service, maintain, upgrade, and safeguard their systems.
More than a dozen companies are moving in the DaaS direction. They include Google,
Airways, Bank of America, Southwest Airlines, and others use QuickBase from service
available from any Internet connection, those involved in managing and implementing sys-
tems development projects can record their progress and check on others' progress from any
location.
Special-Purpose Database Systems
In addition to the popular database management systems just discussed, some specialized
database packages are used for specific purposes or in specific industries. For example, the
Israeli Holocaust Database (
www.yadvashem.org
)
is a special-purpose database available
through the Internet and contains information on about three million people in 14 languages.
A unique special-purpose DBMS for biologists called Morphbank (
www.morphbank.net
)
allows researchers from around the world to continually update and expand a library of over
96,000 biological images to share with the scientific community and the public. The iTunes
store music and video catalog is a special-purpose database system. When you search for your
favorite artist, you are querying the database.
Selecting a Database Management System
The database administrator often selects the best database management system for an orga-
nization. The process begins by analyzing database needs and characteristics. The information
needs of the organization affect the type of data that is collected and the type of database
management system that is used. Important characteristics of databases include the following:
