Types of database users in DBMS
Table of Content:
Database users are those who interact with the database in order to query and update the database and generate reports. Database users are classified into the following categories:
Naïve users: The users who query and update the database by invoking some already written application programs. For example, the owner of the bookstore enters the details of various books in the database by invoking an appropriate application program.
Sophisticated users: The users, such as a business analyst, scientist, etc., who are familiar with the facilities provided by a DBMS interact with the system without writing any application programs. Such users use database query language to retrieve information from the database to meet their complicated requirements.
Specialized users: The users who write specialized database programs that are different from traditional data-processing applications such as banking and payroll management use simple data types. Specialized users write applications such as computer-aided design systems, knowledge-base and expert systems that store data having complex data types.
Who is a database administrator (DBA)?
A database administrator (DBA) is a person who has central control over both data and application programs.
What are the various responsibilities of a DBA?
Some of the responsibilities of DBA are as follows:
Schema definition and modification: The overall structure of the database is known as the database schema. It is the responsibility of the DBA to create the database schema by executing a set of data definition statements in DDL.
New software installation: It is the responsibility of the DBA to install new DBMS software, application software and other related software. After installation, the DBA must test the new software.
Security enforcement and administration: DBA is responsible for establishing and monitoring the security of the database system. It involves adding and removing users, auditing and checking for security problems.
Data analysis: DBA is responsible for analyzing the data stored in the database and studying its performance and efficiency in order to effectively use indexes, parallel query execution, etc.
Preliminary database design: The DBA works along with the development team during the database-design stage due to which many potential problems that can arise later can be avoided.
Physical organization modification: The DBA is responsible for carrying out the modifications in the physical organization of the database for better performance.
Routine maintenance checks: The DBA is responsible for taking the database backup periodically in order to be able to recover from any hardware or software failure and restore the database to a consistent state.