Is database a simple plug and play software?
Is database a simple plug and play software?
After you purchase and download the database product, the administrator generally needs to complete certain set-up before the database can be usable. First step is to install the database software and doing basic configuration like setting up some parameters and allocating storage*. Then network connectivity needs to be established so that users can connect to the server. Then the administrator needs to start the database engine, so that its service will start ‘listening’ for requests on a specific port#. Finally, the administrator needs to grant some permissions$ and inform the team about the connection details, so that the users can use the database.
The above steps will make a ‘blank’ database installation available to the development team. The development team then, with help of the DBA, creates a database and adds various tables etc in which the actual user data gets stored.
* In many database products, all mandatory parameters either get initiated with some default settings or are asked during the installation steps. So theoretically, the database is almost ready for use after installation. But many times, the default parameters may not be optimum for your requirements and hardware specifications, so it is recommended that the administrator reviews them and makes necessary changes.
# Port is a network related concept. On a server, you can connect on a specific port (which is generally identified by a number like say 7080 port) to avail some service. When we say, that a service ‘listens’ on a port, it means that it keeps checking for incoming messages on that port from one or more connections and processes them. If those messages are as per expected protocol / format, then the service may be designed to return a response back on the same port to the respective connections. (This is very elementary level information and for more details, readers should refer other suitable resources.)
$ In some database products, some default user / password may get created or some permissions may get granted by default to public (to all users) or similar permissions related default action may take place as part of the installation. It is recommended that the administrator reviews these users / permissions and those should be modified or removed if not found as per requirement.
Related links
Are there any other costs involved, apart from the cost of database software?