DBS201: DBA/DBMS Lecture 13

Agenda The functions of a DBMS The role of a Data Administrator/ Database Administrator

Data as a Corporate Asset Data are accepted as a valuable asset requiring careful management Data are now well understood as a valuable resource to be translated into information If information is accurate and timely, its use is likely to enhance company’s competitive position and generate wealth

Databases Database’s predominant role is to support managerial decision making at all levels in the organization DBMS must provide tools that give each level of management a different view of the data and support required level of decision making

Databases Data is stored in a database and must be structured and arranged for storage, extraction and processing Database consists of a collection of logically related data stored in a single repository which consists of end user data and metadata

Database Management System A Database Management System (DBMS) manages the access to the database (and ultimately the data) Database Management System (DBMS): Collection of programs that manages database structure and controls access to data Sharing of data among multiple applications and users

Database Management System Makes data management more efficient and effective Query language allows quick answers to ad hoc queries Provides better access to more and better-managed data Promotes integrated view of organization’s operations Reduces the probability of inconsistent data

Database Management System Figure 1.2

Database Management System For Top Management Provides the information necessary for strategic decision making and strategic planning Provides access to external and internal data Provides information on company performance and whether they are achieving their goals (targets)

Database Management System For Middle Management Provides data necessary for tactical decisions and planning Provides a framework for enforcing and ensuring the security and privacy of the data

Database Management System For Operational Management Provides timely information for customer support Produce query results within specified performance levels Represents and supports the company operations as closely as possible (operational data)

DBMS Functions Data dictionary management Data storage management Defines data elements and their relationships Data storage management Stores data and related data entry forms, report definitions, etc Data transformation and presentation Translates logical requests into commands to physically locate and retrieve the requested data

DBMS Functions Security management Multi-user access control Enforces user security and data privacy within database Multi-user access control Creates structures that allow multiple users to access the data Backup and recovery management Provides backup and data recovery utilities

DBMS Functions Data integrity management Promotes and enforces integrity rules to eliminate data integrity problems Database language and application programming interfaces Provides data access through a query language Database communication interfaces Allows database to accept end-user requests within a computer network environment

Database Design Importance of Good Design Practical Approach eliminates data redundancy eliminates errors leading to bad decisions Practical Approach Focus on principles and concepts of database design Importance of logical design

Database vs. File Systems Figure 1.6

Database System Environment Figure 1.7

The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

The Database Life Cycle (DBLC)

Parallel Activities in the DBLC and the SDLC

Database Administration Data administration has its roots in the old, decentralized world of the file system Advent of the DBMS and its shared view of data produced a new level of data management sophistication and led the DP department to evolve into an information systems (IS) department Data management became an increasingly complex job, thus leading to development of the database administration function

Database Administrators Responsible for: Physical implementation of the DBMS Security and integrity control of the DBMS Maintenance of the operational system Ensuring satisfactory performance of the applications for users Requires detailed knowledge of the target DBMS and the system environment

Database Administration

Database Administration

Database Administration

Database Administration

Database Administration Even the most carefully crafted database system cannot operate without a human component Effective data administration requires both technical and managerial skills DA must set data administration goals DBA is the focal point for data/user interaction Need for diverse mix of skills

Database Administration

Database Administration

Desired DBA Skills

DBA Activities and Services

Database Administration Critical step for any organization is to ensure its information system supports strategic plans for each of the company’s business areas Database administration strategy must not conflict with information systems plans

Summary Data management is critical for any organization Data should be treated as corporate asset with monetary value DBMS is most commonly used electronic tool for corporate data management Database administrator (DBA) is responsible for corporate database management

Summary Broader data management activity is handled by data administrator (DA) DA is more managerially oriented than the more technically oriented DBA Development of data administration strategy is closely related to the company’s mission and objectives

DBA Resource Information Salary Range for a Database Administrator: Average = C$45,234 (1 year experience) Salary survey examples: http://images.globalknowledge.com/wwwimages/pdfs/2007_SalaryReport.pdf http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Skill=Oracle/Salary/by_Job Job samples: http://jobsearch.monster.ca/jobsearch.asp?q=database+administrator&fn=6&lid=240&re=&cy=CA