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Database Development Life Cycle

Last Updated : 09 Sep, 2024
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In computer systems, data are stored in file-based systems and database systems. File-based systems fail to effectively check data duplication, accuracy, and integrity, leading to decreased security. To handle this constraint the database approach is convinced.

A database plays a crucial role in developing a successful application. A database must be designed prudently and systematically which is known as the Database Development Life Cycle. Let us discuss what is a Database Development Life Cycle.

Database Development Life Cycle (DDLC)

Database Development Life Cycle is a structured process imposed upon the development of the database portion of the application. To develop an effective application a database must be created in a structured process. At every step of DDLC, the database is involved and refined. With DDLC, the data elements are more stable and make the database logically very sound.

There are various stages of the Database Development Life Cycle they are -

  • Database initial study
  • Database Design
  • Implementation and loading
  • Testing and evaluation
  • Operation
  • Maintenance

Block Diagram of Database Development Life Cycle

database Development Life Cycle
Database Development Life Cycle (DDLC)

1. Database Initial Study

To begin with this, there will be different stages -

Phase-1

Stage 1 analyzes the company's circumstances. This stage too considers-

  • What are the organization and its common requirements?
  • What is its mission inside that environment?
  • What is the organization's structure?
  • What are the necessities for changing the database?

Phase-2

In stage 2 issues and imperatives are characterized. This stage considers-

  • How does the existing framework work?
  • What input does the framework require?
  • How is the framework yield utilized? And, by whom?
  • What reports does the framework generate?
  • What is the operational relationship among trade units?
  • What limits and limitations does the framework have?

Phase-3

In stage 3 the Goals are characterized. This stage considers-

  • Objective of all proposed systems.
  • Does The framework require sharing the information with other frameworks or users?
  • Will the framework interface with the other existing or future frameworks in the company?

Phase-4

In stage 4 the scopes and boundaries are characterized.

  • Scope What is the extent(size) of the plan based on operational requirements?
  • Boundaries such as Budget, equipment and computer program, and, Outside organizational alter are required.

2. Database Design

The evaluation phase of a database design is the process of creating a detailed data model or blueprint of the database. This data model consists of all the logical and physical design options and physical storage parameters that are required to generate a design in data definition language that can be used to create a database.

The database design is divided into four types.

  • Conceptual Design
  • DBMS software selection
  • Logical Design
  • Physical Design

1. Conceptual Design

Database modeling is used to create an abstract database structure, which permits you to emphasize the big picture without getting into details. The model produced at this stage is from the client's worldview, not the real world. Here you can split this model into small parts for better understanding. One of the common techniques used for conceptual design is the Entity Relationship Model (E-R Model).

2. DBMS Software Selection

For this software selection, we have to take special care of a few factors affecting the decision such as Cost, Maintenance, Operational, License, Installation, Training, and Conversion costs.

3. Logical Design

The logical design translates the conceptual design into an internal model of the chosen DBMS. It specifies a high-level language. It specifies what tables and connections between them should exist. It discovers entities in your model and the relationship between them. Splitting a table into a small table and associating it with relations is called normalization. The logical design ensures what are the columns in a table. In RDBMS the logical design includes the design of tables, indexes, views, transactions, etc.

4. Physical Design

Physical design is a relocation of the expected schema into the actual database structure. At this time we have to map the entities into tables, relationships to foreign keys, and unique identifiers to unique keys. Translating schemas into database structure requires creating partitions, indexes, constraints, access control, and implementing some business rule chat that could not be modeled earlier.

3. Implementation and Loading

At this stage in the lifecycle:

  • Create a database storage group.
  • Create a database within the storage group.
  • Assign permissions to database administrators to use the database.
  • Create tablespaces within the database.

4. Testing and Evaluation

Testing and evaluation is a way to determine the subject merit, worth, and significance, using the criteria governed by a set of standards phase occur in parallel with the application programming. Programmers use database tools such as report generators, screen painters, and menu generators to prototype the application during the coding of the programs.

5. Operation

The testing and evaluation phase is followed by the operation phase. At the start of the operation phase, the process of system development always begins, as the system evolves from a simple to a more complex form.

6. Maintenance

The maintenance phase plays a crucial role in database development as it includes major tasks such as access management, database recovery, database backup, enhancing security, software updates, and hardware maintenance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Database Development Life Cycle provides a well ordered framework for developing, deploying, and maintaining a database, ensuring that it effectively supports the organization’s objectives while being robust, secure, and scalable. Properly following the DDLC stages leads to a well-designed database system that can adapt to changing requirements and continue to deliver value over time.


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