Review of data base administrators functions from a survey

Abstract

This paper reports some results from a survey of about thirty practicing data base administrators (DBA) in U.S. organizations of warying sizes and commitment to data base technology. From these observations some trends and evolutions of the data base administrator position are outlined. First, basic definitions and organizational considerations are set forth. The functions, interfaces and responsabilities of the DBA are discussed along with the DBMS tools available to carry out their tasks as recommended by various committees including CODASYL, GUIDE/SHARE, etc.Next, results of a survey of organizations staffed with data base administrators are presented. The survey stresses how the various recommendations regarding DBA implementation are reflected in reality and analyzes a number of significant parameters characterizing the DBA teams surveyed. An attempt to rationalize the aspirations and the actual status of the DBA is carried out. Finally, some trends in the evolution of the data base administration function are outlined from the survey results and from projections provided by the DBAs themselves. In light of these observations, some current recommendations are reviewed and others are proposed, especially with respect to the data administrator and data base administrator responsabilities.