Databases

The data base management system is a program that allows you to create a database. There are lots of packages that do this job. The most obvious being DB2, Oracle, Informix, Championing, SyBase, SQL server. These are sometimes referred to as the "big six" they are used to make the large databases used by companies like the large banks and in government organizations like our NHS. On a smaller scale there are products like MS Access, Lotus Approach, Corel Paradox these have the features described as typical in theses pages. Open Office base - is a weakness in the open office suite it still needs a lot of development before it is fully featured.

Typically a DBMS will allow you to create Tables where your data will be stored. Forms to view your data in part or in whole. Queries to allow you to search your data. and Reports to allow you format your data's layout on the screen or onpaper. Of increasing importance is the DBMS's ability to format output and take input from the WWW. These are Web pages. Like all modern office software the ability to create Macros (small programs that enable you to automate a process) is an important feature. Most packages have the ability to create a bespoke user interface. In this the forms, reports, web pages and macros can usually be linked together to form a user interface which may hide some of the data from certain users.

Finally a RDBMS will have a programming language that will enable a sophisticated end user to create a bespoke appearance and functionality to the developed database. The programming language can be an extension of the macro language or a separate programming language. SQL Structured Query Language is a language designed specifically to interrogate relational databases. It is not a fully featured programming language. But nearly all RDBMS will include a version of it. Some packages include Java or pearl as a language.

© LEV