Text C: Popular Database Management Systems

The latest generation of database management systems makes it possible for end users to build their own database applications. End users are using these tools to address everyday problems like how to manage a mounting pile of information on employees, customers, inventory, or sales and fun stuff like wine lists, CD collections, and video libraries. These database management systems are an important personal productivity tool along with word processing, spreadsheet, and graphics software.

A key to making DBMSs more usable for some databases is the incorporation of “wizards” that walk you through how to build customized databases, modify ready-to-run applications, use existing record templates, and quickly locate the data you want. These applications also include powerful new features such as help systems and Web-publishing capabilities. For example, users can create a complete inventory system and then instantly post it to the Web, where it does double duty as an electronic catalog. Some of the most popular DBMSs for end users include Microsoft Access, Lotus Approach, and Inprise’s dBASE.

The complete database management software market encompasses software used by professional programmers and that runs on midrange, mainframe, and supercomputers. The entire market generates $ 10 billion per year in revenue, with Oracle, IBM, Microsoft, Informix, and Sybase the leaders. Although Microsoft rules in desktop PC software, its share of database software on bigger computers is small.

Link the beginning and the end of the sentences.

Find the words with a similar meaning in the text.

Complete these sentences using a noun or a verb from the box.

1. The latest generation of database management systems … it possible for end users to build their own database applications.

2. End users are using these tools to address everyday … .

3. The complete database management software market … software used by professional programmers.

4. These applications also … powerful new features such as help systems and Web-publishing capabilities.

5. A key to making DBMSs more usable for some databases is the … of “wizards”.

6. “Wizards” help you to build customized databases, … ready-to-run applications, use existing record templates, and quickly locate the data you want.

Give the English equivalents.

Answer the questions.

Text D: Selecting s Database Management System

Selecting the best database management system begins by analyzing database needs and characteristics. The information needs of the organization affect what type of data is collected and what type of database management system is used. Important characteristics of databases include the size of the database, number of concurrent users, performance, the ability of the DBMS to integrate with other systems, the features of the DBMS, vendor considerations, and the cost of the database management system.

The database size depends on the number of records or files in the database. The size determines the overall storage requirement for the database. Most database management systems can handle relatively small databases of less than 100 million bytes; fewer can manage terabyte-size databases.

The number of simultaneous users that can access the contents of the database is also an important factor. Clearly, a database that is meant to be used in a large workgroup must be able to support a number of concurrent users; if it cannot, then the efficiency of the members of the workgroup will be lowered. The term scalability is sometimes used to describe how well a database performs as the size of the database or the number of concurrent users is increased. A highly scalable database management system is desirable to provide flexibility. Unfortunately, many companies make a poor DBMS choice in this regard and then later are forced to convert to a new DBMS when the original does not meet expectations.