Data dictionary management
DBMS stores definitions of data elements and relationships (metadata) in a dictionary. DBMS looks up required data component
... [Show More] structures and relationships. Changes automatically recorded in the dictionary. DBMS provides data abstraction and removes structural and data dependency.
Data Storage Management
DBMS creates and manages complex structures required for data storage
Also stores related data entry forms, screen definitions, report definitions, etc.
Performance tuning: activities that make the database perform more efficiently
DBMS stores the database in multiple physical data files
Data transformation and presentation
DBMS transforms data entered to conform to required data structures
DBMS transforms physically retrieved data to conform to user's logical expectations
Security management
DBMS creates a security system that enforces user security and data privacy
Security rules determine which users can access the database, which items can be accessed, etc.
Uses multiple "tools" to manage:
Transaction log
Access control / privileges table
Multiuser access control
Allows many (thousands) of users to access the same data at the same time while maintaining all the changes as they are made.
DBMS uses sophisticated algorithms to ensure concurrent access does not affect integrity
Enforces transaction management and concurrency control
Backup and recovery management
DBMS provides backup and data recovery to ensure data safety and integrity
Recovery management deals with recovery of database after a failure
Critical to preserving database's integrity
Data integrity management
DBMS promotes and enforces integrity rules
Minimizes redundancy
Maximizes consistency
Data relationships stored in data dictionary used to enforce data integrity
Integrity is especially important in transaction-oriented database systems
Database access language and application programming interfaces
DBMS provides access through a query language
Query language is a nonprocedural language
Structured Query Language (SQL) is the de facto query language
Standard supported by majority of DBMS vendors
Database communication interfaces
Current DBMSs accept end-user requests via multiple different network environments
Communications accomplished in several ways:
End users generate answers to queries by filling in screen forms through Web browser
DBMS automatically publishes predefined reports on a Web site
DBMS connects to third-party systems to distribute information via e-mail [Show Less]