Topic Three-DBMS Functions

DBMS Functions
A DBMS performs several important functions that guarantee the integrity and
consistency of the data in the database. Most of those functions are transparent to end
users, and most can be achieved only through the use of a DBMS. They include data
dictionary management, data storage management, data transformation and
presentation, security management, multiuser access control, backup and recovery
management, data integrity management, database access languages and application
programming interfaces, and database communication interfaces.
Each of these functions is explained below.
a.Data dictionary management. The DBMS stores definitions of the data elements and
their relationships (metadata) in a data dictionary. In turn, all programs that access the
data in the database work through the DBMS. The DBMS uses the data dictionary to
look up the required data component structures and relationships, thus relieving you
from having to code such complex relationships in each program.
Additionally, any changes made in a database structure are automatically recorded in
the data dictionary, thereby freeing you from having to modify all of the programs that
access the changed structure.
b. Data storage management. The DBMS creates and manages the complex structures
required for data storage, thus relieving you from the difficult task of defining and
programming the physical data characteristics. A modern DBMS provides storage not
only for the data, but also for related data entry forms or screen definitions, report
definitions, data validation rules, procedural code, structures to handle video and
picture formats, and so on. Data storage management is also important for database
performance tuning. Performance tuning relates to the activities that make the database
perform more efficiently in terms of storage and access speed. Although the user sees the
database as a single data storage unit, the DBMS actually stores the database in multiple
physical data files. Such data files may even be stored on different storage media.
Therefore, the DBMS doesn’t have to wait for one disk request to finish before the next
one starts.
c. Data transformation and presentation. The DBMS transforms entered data to
conform to required data structures. The DBMS relieves you of the chore of making a
distinction between the logical data format and the physical data format. That is, the
DBMS formats the physically retrieved data to make it conform to the user’s logical
expectations.
d. Security management. The DBMS creates a security system that enforces user
security and data privacy. Security rules determine which users can access the database,
which data items each user can access, and which data operations (read, add, delete, or
modify) the user can perform.
e. Multiuser access control. To provide data integrity and data consistency, the DBMS
uses sophisticated algorithms to ensure that multiple users can access the database
concurrently without compromising the integrity of the database.
f. Backup and recovery management. The DBMS provides backup and data recovery
to ensure data safety and integrity. Current DBMS systems provide special utilities that
allow the DBA to perform routine and special backup and restore procedures. Recovery
management deals with the recovery of the database after a failure, such as a bad sector
in the disk or a power failure. Such capability is critical to preserving the database’s
integrity.
g. Data integrity management. The DBMS promotes and enforces integrity rules, thus
minimizing data redundancy and maximizing data consistency. The data relationships
stored in the data dictionary are used to enforce data integrity. Ensuring data integrity is
especially important in transaction-oriented database systems.
h. Database access languages and application programming interfaces. The DBMS
provides data access through a query language. A query language is a nonprocedural
language—one that lets the user specify what must be done without having to specify
how it is to be done. Structured Query Language (SQL) is the de facto query language
and data access standard supported by the majority of DBMS vendors. The DBMS also
provides application programming interfaces to procedural languages such as COBOL,
C, Java, Visual Basic.NET, and C#. In addition, the DBMS provides administrative
utilities used by the DBA and the database designer to create, implement, monitor, and
maintain the database.
i. Database communication interfaces. Current-generation DBMSs accept end-user
requests via multiple, different network environments. For example, the DBMS might
provide access to the database via the Internet through the use of Web browsers such as
Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer. In this environment, communications can
be accomplished in several ways:
 End users can generate answers to queries by filling in screen forms through
their preferred Web browser.
 The DBMS can automatically publish predefined reports on a Website.
 The DBMS can connect to third-party systems to distribute information via e-
mail or other productivity applications.

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DBMS Functions

Each of these functions is explained below.

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