Database system Utilities in Database

 

Database  system Utilities in Database

In addition to processing the software modules most DBMS have additional utilities that help the DBA manage the database system.Common utilities have functions such as

• Loading.
• Backup.
• Database storage reorganization.
• Performance monitoring.

Loading

A loading utility is used to load existing data files such as text files or sequential files into the database.the current format of the data file and the desired database file structure are specified to the utility which then automatically re-formats the data and stores it in the database.

Backup

A backup utility creates a backup copy of the database by dumping the entire database onto tape or other mass storage medium.The backup copy can be used to restore the database in case of catastrophic disk failure.Incremental backups are also often used where only changes since the previous backup are recorded.Incremental backup is more complex but saves storage space.

Database storage reorganization

This utility can be used to reorganize a set of database files into different file organizations and create new access paths to improve performance.

Performance monitoring

Such a utility monitors database usage and provides statistics to the DBA. The DBA uses the statistics in making decisions such as whether or not to reorganize files or whether to add or drop indexes to improve performance.

Other utilities are for sorting files,handling data compression,monitoring access by users,interfacing with the network and performing other functions.