Database Tuning and Its Role In Information Technology Education

Journal of Information Systems Education, Winter 2003 by Pons, Alexander P

ABSTRACT

Course curriculum in database management systems encompasses many topics, from data modeling to implementation and testing. These topics establish a strong foundation for Information Technology students to analyze, design, and implement a database system. Beyond these basic skills, Information Technology students must be equipped with the necessary capabilities to address database performance issues, such as when end-user expectations are not met. The topic of database tuning includes various techniques associated with enhancing database performance, and is important in providing a well-rounded database curriculum, but this skill is not generally covered in most database management systems courses. Our study focuses on testing the researcher's assumption that database tuning is not part of current Information Technology curriculums. In addition, its significance and importance in the curriculums is researched. We surveyed academics and professionals to quantify the importance of database tuning and establish an understanding of its role within the education of students taking database related courses.

Keywords: Database Tuning, CIS curriculum, Database education

1. INTRODUCTION

As with most complex subjects, the definition of database tuning varies across the variety of available informative resources on the subject. Instead of trying to identify an all-encompassing definition, we will simply define database tuning as an ongoing process of achieving maximum performance from all components of a database system. Unfortunately, a database management system (DBMS, or alternatively, RDBMS) does not run in isolation; therefore systems other than the database engine can influence the performance of the DBMS. These include the operating system running the database, applications that interface with the database, and the network over which the database system and applications communicate. An oft-confronted reality of the database developer is end-user discontent with the performance of the database application. These applications may be functionally correct, but poor response time or performance frustrates end-users, creating a sense of dissatisfaction that may result in the abandonment of the application (Nielsen, 1999).

The concept of database tuning is critical to the success of most database-centric applications. An organization that establishes a database application with the aim of reducing errors, improving consistency, and increasing employee effectiveness must first convince its employees of the application's benefits. Slow performance can negatively impact employee perceptions, which could lead to a resistance in using the applications, despite the application's correct and enhanced functionality. In addition, when customers access an application, their overall impressions of the organization can be influenced by the ease and speed associated with the application. For example, an organization that offers bill payment and claim service through the Web must address not only the ease of navigating their Web pages, but also the speed at which transactions occur, since both can influence the overall level of customer satisfaction with the organization. Therefore, database applications must function not only correctly but also quickly to meet user expectations.

The importance that applications meet user expectations is well recognized (Hoxmeier and DiCesare, 2000) and Information Technology (IT) students should be prepared to solve performance issues associated with end-user application dissatisfaction. IT students seem to be well accomplished in database analysis, design, and implementation of correctly functioning systems. But database development only constitutes an operational system. When performance issues arise, these IT students must know how to address the system's performance and response time deficiencies. Our aims are to determine the importance and significance of database tuning to database professionals and academics, to understand to what extent database tuning is covered in undergraduate and graduate education, and to evaluate the theoretical components of database tuning as part of a university's IT curriculum. These are students pursuing a major from a variety of departments such as an Information System (CIS) department.

The remainder of this paper is organized as follows: section 2 covers some basic concepts in database tuning; section 3 reviews the current methodology and approach to database tuning; section 4 discusses database tuning as a topic in a traditional university education and includes faculty and professional surveys that assess the significance of the topic; section 5 highlights the survey results and evaluates the merits of incorporating database tuning into undergraduate and graduate IT curriculums; section 6 explains the limitations of this study and proposes guidelines for its continuation; finally, 7 provides a conclusion and suggests directions for future research

2. UNDERSTANDING DATABASE TUNING