Distributed databases

Although database distribution techniques have been known for several years, few companies have yet adopted this type of IT system. Yet most of the ingredients needed to set up such systems are already present in organizations: local and public networks, powerful microcomputers and workstations, relational database systems on mainframes and microcomputers.

This article presents the essential features of distributed database management systems. Distributing data across independent computers interconnected by a network requires the implementation of mechanisms to describe data, decompose data access requests and ensure the overall integrity of the distributed database.

In paragraph 1 , a brief history of the evolution of IT systems shows that companies are currently meeting the necessary conditions for the implementation of distributed databases. Paragraph 2 presents a definition of a distributed database, as well as the architecture and functions of the systems responsible for managing them. This is followed by a presentation of design principles, query processing mechanisms, data localization principles and the optimization and validation of distributed processing.