People who work with a database can be categorized into:
1.Database Users
2.Database Administrators (DBAs)
Database Users are the persons who interact with the database and benefit from it. Users are differentiated by the way they interact with the system. There are four types of database users:
These are unsophisticated users who use existing applications to interact with the database.
Examples: People accessing databases over the web, bank tellers, clerical staff, etc.
These are computer professionals who write application programs. They interact with the system through Data Manipulation Language (DML) queries.
Example: Writing a C program to generate a report of employees working in a particular department, which involves embedding SQL queries within the program.
These users interact with the system by writing SQL queries directly through the query processor without writing application programs.
Example: Analysts who submit SQL queries to explore data in the DBMS.
These are sophisticated users who write specialized database applications that do not fit into the traditional data processing framework. They develop complex programs to meet specific requirements.
Example: Developers of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems, expert systems, knowledge-based systems, etc., that store complex data types (like graphics and audio data) and environment modeling systems.
A DBA is a person or group responsible for supervising both the database and the use of the DBMS. Database Administrators coordinate all the activities of the database system. They use specialized software to store and organize data and have all the necessary permissions.
⇒ Schema definition
⇒ Storage structure and access method definition
⇒ Schema and physical organization modification
⇒ Specifying integrity constraints
⇒ Granting user authority to access the database
⇒ Monitoring performance and responding to changes in requirements
⇒ Routine maintenance
⇒ Acting as a liaison with users
⇒ Backing up and restoring databases
