Database Systems and Their Architecture Design
Victoria Thompson
April 13, 2015
DBM/380 Instructor Scott Cain
Database Systems and Their Architectural Design
According to PCMag Digital Group (1996-2015) a database system is defined as "software that controls the organization, storage, retrieval, security, and integrity of data in a database" (para. 1). Database systems consist of the following four components- end users, database application(s),the database management system, and the database. The design of a database system depends on its architecture. There are a few different types of database architectures used in database design; however, they all consist of rules and specifications that describe the type of data they hold as well as how the data will be used by applications.
A database system is essentially a collection of records that are made up of tables used to keep track of things. Each of the tables within a specific database holds data with one identifiable theme. Although there are different types of databases, the relational database is the most common and widely used. Each component in a relational database system performs a specific task. The database stores the themed tables, undexes, metadata, and user data. The DBMS is a program that makes it possible to create, process, and administer the database; and, it translates SQL requests. It also creates indexes, modifies data, enforces rules, control concurrency, provides security, and performs backup and recovery. The database application(s) acts as a go-between allowing the end users and the DBMS to communicate with one another and presents data to the user as forms and reports. Other functions of the application include: processing user queries, executing application logice, and controlling applications. The user and/or end user(s) request the reports. The architectural environment of a database system is defined by its design. It can be centralized, decentralized, or hierarchical. The architecture can also be described as client/server, N-tiered, distributed, or parallel (“Dbms- architecture”, 2015 The structure of the database system, if it is well-designed, should ensure reliability, integrity, performance, and scalability. The Structured Query Language has been developed as the standard database language; however, not all database systems and/or DMBS(s) have the exact same architect. MySQL and IBM's DB2 have similar architecture that provides
