Question

What is the importance of the master system database? Discuss the pros and cons of full database backup. Discuss all components of the database engine in relation to data availability, and their benefits and disadvantages in relation to server redundancy, database redundancy, and file redundancy. Provide examples to justify your ideas.

Answer 1

Importance of the master system database:-

Master system database maintains all information about running system server's configuration. It has information about the location of other database files and initialisation of the server. Thus in absence of master database the SQL server cannot be started.

Pros & Cons of full database backup:-

Pros of Full database backup helps in quick recovery of data, maintaining data consistency and security.

Cons of full database backup are that it is time consuming, additional space and bandwidth is required.

Components of the Database engine:-

Query Processor - It translates the user's query in simple machine language which is sent to database manager.
Database manager - Acts as an interface between the low level data, software application and user's queries. It maintains the backup and recovery of data.
Data structure - It maintains data files, data dictionary and statistical data
These components helps in storage of data, allocation of space, information sharing and execution of instructions through a series of steps. There advantage is that they help in the execution of instructions in a systematic manner and improves the performance of the system. They maintain backup and security of system by controlling access.

The Disadvantages related to server redundancy, database redundancy, and file redundancy is as shown below,

Disadvantages are due to lack of maintenance and errors they may affect the functioning of systems and lose important information . It needs to be updated on regular basis with appropriate methods so that data is not lost and performance is not affected.

Example are payroll systems which help in maintaining the employee data and help in fast computation and keeping records. Any error may lead to waste of time and incorrect results affecting performance.