Roles & Advantages of DBMS?
A database management system, or DBMS, is probably responsible for many important activates you perform daily. A DBMS, for instance, could help your grocery store manager keep supplies in stock. A video site may also use a DBMS to make media sharing possible. DBMSs often require several people in different roles to keep an organization’s data flowing smoothly.
DBMS Fundamentals
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Database management system is a fancy term that refers to a system that manages databases. Multiple types of databases exist, and a DBMS can contain more than one database. People often interact with databases indirectly by entering information into a program. When you log into a website, the site's Web server may retrieve your login information from a database server that holds that information. Microsoft's SQL Server and Oracle are examples of DBMSs that people use to to manage information.
Why Humans Matter
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Since computers are often smart enough to run themselves, you may wonder why they need people to help them manage data. You'll often find a database administrator, or DBA, in an organization that manages a large DBMS. One of a DBA's primary roles is in ensuring that database information is secure. In addition to designing a database, a DBA may be the only person in an organization who can perform certain database tasks such as archiving data tables. DBAs also help resolve problems that a system's users encounter.
Additional DBMS Roles and Responsibilities
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Not every database has a DBA. You probably know this if you manage a simple database that powers your website. Some organizations may hire programmers who also serve as database administrators. Smaller organizations may even allow developers to design databases and manage them. On the opposite end of the scale you'll find large companies that hire database architects. These highly trained professionals assume the design role that DBAs often have. Database architects also work with departments within an organization to ensure that all DBMSs meet everyone's needs.
Take Control of Your Data
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Technological advances have made it possible for just about anybody to create a database and let other people use it. Google Docs, for instance, enables you to turn an online spreadsheet into a simple data repository that anyone on the Web can update. If your data needs are more complex, you can create Access databases and share them within your organization. When you'd like to give your website basic data processing capabilities, you can install a free database, such as MySQL or SQLite. You'll probably need a more robust DBMS such as Oracle or SQL Server if your site requires extensive data management capabilities.
References
- IBM: What is a Database Management System?
- Cambridge International AS and A Level Computing Coursebook; Chris Leadbetter, Roger Blackford, Tony Piper
- U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsBls: Database Administrators - Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Certification Magazine: Database Architect: Getting to the Top
- Google: Create a Google Form
Resources
Writer Bio
After majoring in physics, Kevin Lee began writing professionally in 1989 when, as a software developer, he also created technical articles for the Johnson Space Center. Today this urban Texas cowboy continues to crank out high-quality software as well as non-technical articles covering a multitude of diverse topics ranging from gaming to current affairs.