Personal VS Enterprise Class Database Systems

• Personal database systems
  • Provide a DBMS
  • And an application generator.
  • It attempts to hide the database engine from the users.
• Enterprise Class Database Systems
  • Many more expected application programs
    • Support for may custom application clients
    • Support for web and mobile application
    • Tie in to other DBMS and information management systems
      • Student data is exported from Banner to the new degree evaluation system.
    • Support "digital dashboard" applications.
    • Many many more connections, during scheduling for example, ...
• As the systems increase in power, they also increase in difficulty to use and maintain.
• But they become vastly faster too.

Classes of Database Users

• Knowledge Workers are people who use database application software
  • No knowledge of SQL or databases, just the application software
  • And a knowledge (depending of the level) of what question to ask.
• Programmer
  • Knowledge of programming and programming languages
  • Knowledge of SQL and the operation of databases.
• Database Administrator (DBA).
• Knowledge of issues relating to designing tables, relationships, ...
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of a DBMS
• Knowledge of administrative tasks (backup, recovery, ...)