Database-centric architecture: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:13, 3 April 2015

Revision as of 23:46, 10 April 2015

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* using dynamic, [[Table (database)|table]]-driven logic, as opposed to logic embodied in previously [[compiled]] [[Computer program|program]]s. The use of table-driven logic, i.e. behavior that is heavily dictated by the contents of a database, allows programs to be simpler and more flexible. This capability is a central feature of [[dynamic programming language]]s. See also [[control table]]s for tables that are normally coded and embedded within programs as [[data structures]] (i.e. not compiled statements) but could equally be read in from a [[flat file]], [[database]] or even retrieved from a [[spreadsheet]].

* using [[stored procedure]]s that run on [[database server]]s, as opposed to greater reliance on logic running in middle-tier [[application server]]s in a [[multi-tier architecture]]. The extent to which [[business logic]] should be placed at the back-end versus another tier is a subject of ongoing debate. For example, Toon Koppelaars presents a detailed analysis of alternative [[Oracle Database|Oracle-based]] architectures that vary in the placement of business logic, concluding that a database-centric approach has practical advantages from the standpoint of ease of development and maintainability. <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060525094651/http://www.oracle.com/technology/pub/articles/odtug_award.pdf] A Database-centric approach to J2EE Application Development</ref>

* using a shared database as the basis for communicating between [[Parallel computing|parallel processes]] in [[distributed computing]] applications, as opposed to direct [[inter-process communication]] via [[message passing]] functions and [[message-oriented middleware]]. A potential benefit of database-centric architecture in [[distributed application]]s is that it simplifies the design by utilizing DBMS-provided [[transaction processing]] and [[Index (database)|indexing]] to achieve a high degree of reliability, performance, and capacity.<ref>{{Citation |author=Lind P, Alm M |title=A database-centric virtual chemistry system |journal=J Chem Inf Model |volume=46 |issue=3 |pages=1034–9 |year=2006 |pmid=16711722 |doi=10.1021/ci050360b |postscript=. }}</ref> For example, [[Base One]] describes a database-centric distributed computing architecture for [[Grid computing|grid]] and [[Computer cluster|cluster]] computing, and explains how this design provides enhanced security, fault-tolerance, and [[scalability]].<ref>[http://www.boic.com/dbgrid.htm Database-Centric Grid and Cluster Computing]</ref>