How do you distinguish between database development and administration?

The differences are primarily in the name. A database developer is someone responsible for building out a database or a data management system, probably working directly with development teams. A database administrator is someone responsible for creating and maintaining database servers and databases Database development involves gathering requirements, designing schemas, stored procedures, functions, and interoperability with front-end software, application servers, and middleware Database Administrators develop and maintain backup and recovery plans to ensure that data can be recovered in the event of a system failure. Monitor database performance and optimize database queries to improve performance &understanding of database security.

On the one hand, Database development includes: *) Writing Simple to complex Queries. *) Creating stored procedures, triggers, functions, and packages. *) Optimizing database designs by creating well-structured tables and defining indexes. *) Maintaining database documentation, including data standards, procedures, and definitions for the data dictionary(metadata). On the other hand, Database administration includes : *) Database installation, Schedule regular backups. *) Integrate replication/syncing setup to fulfill the various data requirements. *) Implement SQL Logins, and Roles as part of security policies for various categories of users. *) Managing data porting, data archiving, and database server monitoring. *) Performance tuning.

Database development involves designing schemas, stored procedures, functions, and interoperability with front-end software, application servers, and middleware. Adjusting structure to comply with reporting requirements is also part of database design.

Database development or more correctly, database design starts with documenting all of the high level functions of a project. This initial step may or may not already be completed for you. The next step is to flowchart the project - to see how all of the project's elements interact with each other. From there you can start designing relational tables and then you can build views and stored procedures that will actually drive the front end of the project. This initial design usually evolves as the project evolves. Additional support tables may be added or some tables may be broken up into more relational tables based on how the project's front-end must flow.

Database development involves designing, creating, and maintaining the structure and functionality of a database system. This includes tasks like defining the database schema, writing queries and scripts, and developing applications that interact with the database. On the other hand, database administration focuses on the management and maintenance of an existing database system. This includes tasks like performance tuning, backup and recovery, security, access control, and ensuring the database runs smoothly. In essence, database development is about building and shaping the database, while database administration is about ensuring its efficient and secure operation.

To Ensure Data Integrity is also the main aspect as DBA. not to change the potential data. Database Growth with respect to data capacity management is also the main responsibility of DBA. Monitoring growth is very helpful , if you face sudden data increase can eat all the space and can halt the DBs and application.

Database administration pertains to maintaining and optimizing databases, backing up data, and securing data. It also concerns capacity planning and maintaining optimal performance and costs.

Database Administrator ensure database high availability, recovery and database performance as well as management of backups and restoration

A good DBA monitors the performance of his databases. He may need to add or adjust indexing and index clustering as table record counts grow and alter the project's performance. In addition he needs to monitor overall server performance. If he has a hardware background then he may be able to recommend hardware upgrades before his database servers show signs of hardware related stress. In addition, a DBA typically performs daily and weekly tasks such as user management, database backups, etc. He may also apply database patches as directed by the database developer.

Database administration can be done with supportive tools like SQL profiler (in case of sql server). There are various aspects to consider while administering a database like, 1) Speed of read\write operations 2) Increasing size of the data 3) Regular backups 4) Updation in database structure and its overall effects. 5) Optimization of long scripts 6) Time lapse and Execution time of scripts. 7) Security and privacy of the data

In my experience, database development is a process on developing structures and architectures of your database, you would create, modify and drop your database. While database administration is a day to day activity that involve monitoring performance, granting access, and other activity regarding a database server operations.

One thing I have learned from my experience is that even if you are just into database development, there will be time when you need to administer the database you have created. So the process of development is the first phase which will lead you to its administration as a second phase. To me, both are connected and choosing development definitely means choosing its administration as well. Though administration does not necessarily mean development.