Functions of Database Server

What is a database?

A database is an organized collection of data. The data are typically organized to model relevant
aspects of reality Databases are created to operate large quantities of information by inputting,
storing, retrieving, and managing that information. Databases are set up so that one set of
software programs provides all users with access to all the data.

A uniquely designed application that interacts with the user, other applications, and the database
itself to capture and analyze data is known as Database management system (DBMS). A generalpurpose database management system (DBMS) is a software system designed to allow the
definition, creation, querying, update, and administration of databases. Examples of common
DBMSs are; MySQL, SQLite, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access, Oracle, FoxPro etc.
A database is not generally portable across different DBMS, but different DBMSs can interoperate by using standards such as SQL and ODBC or JDBC to allow a single application to
work with more than one database.

What is a server?

A server is a system (software and suitable computer hardware) that responds to requests across
a computer network to provide, or help to provide, a network service. Servers can be run on a
dedicated computer, which is also often referred to as "the server", but many networked
computers are capable of hosting servers. In many cases, a computer can provide several services
and have several servers running.

What is a database server?

A Database Server is a computer in a LAN that is dedicated to database storage and retrieval. The
database server holds the Database Management System (DBMS) and the databases. Upon requests
from the client machines, it searches the database for selected records and passes them back over the
network.
A database server can be defined as a server dedicated to providing database services. Such a server
runs the database software.

A database server can typically be seen in a client-server environment where it provides information
sought by the client systems.
A database server is useful for organizations that have a lot of data to deal with on a regular basis. If you
have client-server architecture where the clients need process data too frequently, it is better to work
with a database server. Some organizations use the file server to store and process data. A database
server is much more efficient than a file server.
In Database Network the client execute SQL requests to the database server. The Network Database
Server Process the client database request and the executed answers of SQL command are come back
over the network computer. In the whole concept Database server serves its own power to process the
request or search the requested result. The Database server is sometimes referred to as SQL engine.

All database functions are controlled by the database server. Any type of computer can be used as
database server. It may be microcomputer, minicomputer or mainframe computer. In large organization
networks, the mainframe computers are used as server. Some people refer to the central DBMS
functions as the back-end functions, whereas the application programs on the client computer as frontend programs. You can say that client is the application, which is used to interface with the DBMS, while
database server is a DBMS.
A standard called ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) provides an application programming interface
(API), which allows client side programs to call the DBMS on the server side. For this purpose, necessary
software should be installed on both sides (i.e., client and server). Hence, a client program connects to
the Database server and sends requests (queries) using the ODBC Application Programming Interface
(API). The-server processes the queries and sends back the results of queries to the client program,
which are processed by the client computer.

What are the functions of Database server?

Centralized data management

In a centralized database, all the data of an organization is stored in a single place such
as a mainframe computer or a server. Users in remote locations access the data through
the Wide Area Network (WAN) using the application programs provided to access the
data. The centralized database (the mainframe or the server) should be able to satisfy
all the requests coming to the system, therefore could easily become a bottleneck. But
since all the data reside in a single place it easier to maintain and back up data.
Furthermore, it is easier to maintain data integrity, because once data is stored in a
centralized database, outdated data is no longer available in other places.

It controls and manages all the clients that are connected to it. It handles all database
access and control functions.

Data integrity and database consistency

Integrity means keeping your data accurate, consistent and valid. It ensures that all data
within the database adheres to the guidelines or structure of the database. For example, each
record in your database should have a unique identifier, such as a specific constituent number.
It is also important that if you delete the main constituent record, then information related to
that record is also deleted. If related information is not removed from your database, then you
end up with orphan records, such as donations with no donor listed. The rule that governs
unique identifiers and prevention of orphan records is called referential integrity. If there is no
referential integrity in your database then users can enter any data they want, sometimes
without regard to entering a complete or useful record. When considering a database, verify
that there is some level of referential integrity.
Data integrity also refers to data being accurate and consistent. As with referential integrity, to
achieve accuracy and consistency, certain rules must be built into your database. For example,
if there is a date field, you dont want users to be able to enter random text. Data entry in that
field should be limited to dates only. It is also advisable to establish best practices for regularly
cleaning your database. Reviewing your data by running a query against the database and then
checking the output is one of the most common ways to find data inconsistencies.

Database security
Database security concerns the use of a broad range of information security controls to
protect databases (potentially including the data, the database applications or stored
functions, the database systems, the database servers and the associated network links)
against compromises of their confidentiality, integrity and availability. It involves various
types or categories of controls, such as technical, procedural/administrative and
physical. The Database server manages the recovery security services of the DBMS. It
enforces the constraints that are specified inside the DBMS.

Concurrent operations
It provides concurrent access control. It provides better security and server hides the
DBMS from clients. It provides the multi-user environment.

Centralized processing (for example archiving)

Several users can access the database simultaneously. All the data is stored on the data
server therefore, the DBA can easily create the backup of the database.