In Memory Databases (IMDB) Research Paper

Traditional approach to database management focuses on databases that use disk storage for keeping data (hard disk drive, SSD, Flash or other disk storage technologies). However, a newer approach to database management introduces in-memory databases (IMDBs). These databases use main memory for storing data and, consequently, require a different IT infrastructure.

IMDBs have a lot of advantages that are particularly important for organizations working with multiple transactions and diverse data streams occurring within short timeframes. Querying an IMDB is significantly faster compared to a traditional disk storage database since all IMDB data are stored in RAM, and RAM is by design the fastest memory type. Data in IMDB are represented more efficiently, since there are no extra input-output operations and data fragmentation (Satzinger, Jackson & Burd, 2011). IMDBs use direct memory pointers, and this fact makes them more efficient in terms of search and indexing. In addition, IMDBs offer shared memory access, therefore simplifying simultaneous operations.

One potential concern about IMDBs is their durability and data safety: since information is saved in RAM, the lack of power might destroy the data. IMDBs use a variety of mechanisms for saving and backing up data, such as saving data snapshots, organizing transaction logging, etc. Thus, IMDBs offer faster transactions and querying, better stability, opportunities for multi-user operations and work more efficiently with real-time updates and big data (Satzinger, Jackson & Burd, 2011). However, for working with IMDBs the company’s infrastructure should be updated: database schemas should be changed to keep the information into one database (to optimize its memory use), data transmission should use as little distributing as possible, and data processing done at the application layer should be moved to the database layer (Satzinger, Jackson & Burd, 2011).

In terms of database design and IMDB, it would be better to use iterative approach: plan the first iteration and develop the first prototype, and then to plan next iterations after analyzing the work of the previous prototypes. This approach is more efficient since current business and technology environments are flexible, and designing the whole database at once might be ineffective if database requirements change in the process of database design. Moreover, if IMDBs are used, adding new entities to the database would come at a relatively low cost compared to traditional disk storage databases, so iterative design can be viewed as an optimal solution.

 

References

Satzinger, J., Jackson, R. & Burd, S.D. (2011). Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Cengage Learning.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]
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