Components of a Database Management System
Organizations produce and gather data as they operate. Contained in a
database, data is typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality in a
way that supports processes requiring this information. Knowing how this can
be managed effectively is vital to any organization.
What is a Database Management System (or DBMS)?
Organizations employ Database Management Systems (or DBMS) to help
them effectively manage their data and derive relevant information out of it. A
DBMS is a technology tool that directly supports efficient data management. It
is a package designed to define, manipulate, and manage data in a database.
Some general functions of a DBMS:
Designed to allow the definition, creation, querying, update, and
administration of databases
Define rules to validate the data and relieve users of framing programs
for data maintenance
Convert an existing database, or archive a large and growing one
Run business applications, which perform the tasks of managing
business processes, interacting with end-users and other applications, to
capture and analyze data
Some well-known DBMSs are Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access,
Oracle, SAP, and others.
Components of DBMS
DBMS have several components, each performing very significant tasks in the
database management system environment. Below is a list of components
within the database and its environment.
Software
This is the set of programs used to control and manage the overall database.
This includes the DBMS software itself, the Operating System, the network
software being used to share the data among users, and the application
programs used to access data in the DBMS.
Hardware
Consists of a set of physical electronic devices such as computers, I/O
devices, storage devices, etc., this provides the interface between computers
and the real world systems.
Data
DBMS exists to collect, store, process and access data, the most important
component. The database contains both the actual or operational data and the
metadata.
Procedures
These are the instructions and rules that assist on how to use the DBMS, and
in designing and running the database, using documented procedures, to
guide the users that operate and manage it.
Database Access Language
This is used to access the data to and from the database, to enter new data,
update existing data, or retrieve required data from databases. The user
writes a set of appropriate commands in a database access language,
submits these to the DBMS, which then processes the data and generates
and displays a set of results into a user readable form.
Query Processor
This transforms the user queries into a series of low level instructions. This
reads the online user’s query and translates it into an efficient series of
operations in a form capable of being sent to the run time data manager for
execution.
Run Time Database Manager
Sometimes referred to as the database control system, this is the central
software component of the DBMS that interfaces with user-submitted
application programs and queries, and handles database access at run time.
Its function is to convert operations in user’s queries. It provides control to
maintain the consistency, integrity and security of the data.
Data Manager
Also called the cache manger, this is responsible for handling of data in the
database, providing a recovery to the system that allows it to recover the data
after a failure.
Database Engine
The core service for storing, processing, and securing data, this provides
controlled access and rapid transaction processing to address the
requirements of the most demanding data consuming applications. It is often
used to create relational databases for online transaction processing or online
analytical data processing.
Data Dictionary
This is a reserved space within a database used to store information about the
database itself. A data dictionary is a set of read-only table and views,
containing the different information about the data used in the enterprise to
ensure that database representation of the data follow one standard as
defined in the dictionary.
Report Writer
Also referred to as the report generator, it is a program that extracts
information from one or more files and presents the information in a specified
format. Most report writers allow the user to select records that meet certain
conditions and to display selected fields in rows and columns, or also format
the data into different charts.
Applications of Database Management Systems
An estimated 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are generated each day. This
exponential growth in generated data has enhanced the need to integrate
DBMS in almost every aspect of daily life.
Important sectors where DBMS finds application include:
Reservation Systems
Planning travel and making reservations for trains and flights are simplified
with DBMS. DBMS applications help manage the schedule and track delays,
boarding, and departure of flights or trains.
Online Shopping
With the accelerated growth of the eCommerce sector, web-based shopping
has increased on platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart, etc. Data
management systems store and track all the important information related to
the orders, such as invoices, shipping details, refund status, etc.
Healthcare System
DBMSs are of critical importance in the healthcare system as they help
organize, track and extract patient information such as appointments,
treatment records, payments, doctor schedules, invoices, etc.
Finance Sector
In addition to its immense application in banking, DBMS is important in storing
and managing accounting and finance-related information such as sales
reports, financial statements, financial assets, stocks, bonds, etc.
HR Management System
Database management systems help HR executives store and manage
employee information such as name, designation, salary, tax, insurance
details, etc.
Scientific Database
Researchers utilize DBMS to store scientific research data, track projects,
conduct comparative studies, develop experiment protocols, and more.
Great Performance through Effective DBMS
A company’s performance is greatly affected by how it manages its data. And
one of the most basic tasks of data management is the effective management
of its database. Understanding the different components of the DBMS and
how it works and relates to each other is the first step to employing an
effective DBMS.
