The 3 Main Subsystems Part of Every DBMS

Introduction

A Database Management System (DBMS) is a software system that manages the storage, retrieval, and updating of data in a database. DBMS architecture refers to the underlying structure and organization of a DBMS system. It includes several subsystems that work together to ensure efficient and effective management of data. In this blog post, we will discuss the three main subsystems of every DBMS: data subsystem, access subsystem, and storage subsystem.

Data Subsystem

The data subsystem is the core subsystem of a DBMS architecture. It manages the organization and storage of data in the database. It includes the data definition language (DDL) and the data manipulation language (DML). The DDL is responsible for defining the schema of the database, including tables, attributes, and relationships between them. The DML is responsible for inserting, updating, and deleting data from the database.

The data subsystem also includes a query language, which is used to retrieve data from the database. The most common query language is Structured Query Language (SQL), which is used by many relational database management systems (RDBMS). Other types of DBMS, such as NoSQL, use different query languages, such as MongoDB’s query language.

Access Subsystem

The access system is responsible for managing user access to the database. It includes user authentication and authorization mechanisms that ensure only authorized users can access the database. The access system also enforces security policies to prevent unauthorized access or data breaches.

In addition to user authentication and authorization, the access system also includes transaction management. Transactions are sequences of database operations that are performed as a single unit of work. The access system ensures that transactions are executed atomically, meaning that either all of the operations in the transaction are performed, or none of them are.

Storage Subsystem

The storage system is responsible for managing the physical storage of data in the database. It includes both the data storage and the data retrieval subsystems. The data storage subsystem is responsible for storing data on disk or other storage media. It includes mechanisms for allocating and deallocating disk space and for managing data structures such as indexes and hash tables.

The data retrieval subsystem is responsible for retrieving data from the storage system. It includes mechanisms for locating data on disk and for caching frequently accessed data in memory to improve performance.

Conclusion

DBMS architecture is a complex system that includes several subsystems working together to ensure efficient and effective management of data. The data system is responsible for managing the organization and storage of data in the database. The access system is responsible for managing user access to the database and enforcing security policies. The storage system is responsible for managing the physical storage of data in the database. Understanding these subsystems is essential for designing, developing, and maintaining a reliable and efficient DBMS.