The Database Application Life Cycle is a structured, iterative process used to plan, design, implement, and maintain database-driven systems. It ensures data integrity and scalability.
- Analyzing the real-world requirements.
- To design the data and functions of the system.
- Implementing the operations in the system.
Database Application Life Cycle
Activities related to the database application system (micro) life cycle include the following:
- System Definition: The scope of the database system, its users, and its application are defined. The interfaces for various categories of users, the response time constraints, and storage and processing needs are identified.
- Database Design: At the end of this phase, a complete logical and physical design of the database system on the chosen DBMS is ready.
- Database Implementation: This comprises the process of specifying the conceptual, external, and internal database definition creating empty database files, and implementing the software application.
- Loading or Data Conversion: The database is populated either by loading the data directly or by converting existing files into database system format.
- Application Conversion: Any software application from a previous system is converted to the new system.
- Testing and Validation: The new system is tested and validated. Testing and validation of application programs can be a very involved process and the techniques that are employed are usually covered in the software engineering course. The automated tools that assist in the process.
- Operation: The Database system and its application are put into operation Usually the old and new system are operated in parallel for some time.
- Monitoring and Maintenance: During the operational phase, the system is continuously monitored and maintained, while databases and applications are updated as requirements change. Activities 2, 3, and 4 belong to the design and implementation phase of the ISLC. Conversion activities are required only when replacing an existing system.
