Scribd
Upload
4 views16 pages

12.Data Dictionary

The document provides an overview of data dictionaries (DD) in databases, explaining their nature, rationale, structure, and typical contents. It also covers how to use SQL to view DD in Oracle, including specific catalog tables and sample queries. Additionally, the document discusses grant and revoke statements for managing user privileges in relation to database objects.

Uploaded by

pratikkange@gmail.com
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
4 views16 pages

12.Data Dictionary

The document provides an overview of data dictionaries (DD) in databases, explaining their nature, rationale, structure, and typical contents. It also covers how to use SQL to view DD in Oracle, including specific catalog tables and sample queries. Additionally, the document discusses grant and revoke statements for managing user privileges in relation to database objects.

Uploaded by

pratikkange@gmail.com
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 16

Data Dictionary

• Nature of a Data Dictionary (DD)


• Rationale for a DD
• Structure of a DD
• Typical DD Contents
• Using SQL to View DD in Oracle
• grant and revoke Statements
Nature of a DD
• A database contains information about entities of
interest to users in an organization
• When created, the database itself becomes an
“entity” about which information must be kept for
various data administration purposes
• Data dictionary (or system catalog) is a
database about the database
• Contents of a DD are commonly referred to as
metadata
• DD can be updated, queried much as a “regular”
database
• DBMS often maintains the DD
Rationale for a DD
• Provides a summary of the structure of the
database
– helps DBA manage the database
– informs users of database scope
• Facilitates communication between users and
database administrators
• Allows the DBMS to manage the creation,
access, and modification of tables and their
components
Structure of a DD
• DD can be integrated with the DBMS or
stand-alone
• Relational systems all have some form of
integrated DD (e.g., Oracle)
• Integrated DD is usually active, meaning it is
automatically updated to reflect changes in
the database
• A stand-alone DD is not directly linked to the
database and must be updated manually
Typical DD Contents
• Data elements
– names, data type
• Tables
– owner, creation date, access specifications, size
• Indexes
– name, attributes involved, creation date
• Authorized users
– names, type(s) of access
• Integrity Constraints
Using SQL to View DD in Oracle
Some Oracle DD (Catalog) Tables
• SYS.OBJ$
– contains, for each database object, such data as
object name, owner (number), creation time
• Can view details with
– describe sys.obj$
• Sample query
– select name, ctime
from sys.obj$
where ctime > ‘01-feb-02’;
Using SQL to View DD in Oracle
Some Oracle DD (Catalog) Tables
• SYS.COL$
– Contains, for each column, such data as data type,
table, whether nulls are allowed, and position in
table
• View with
– describe sys.col$
• Sample query
– select obj#
from sys.col$
where upper(name) = ‘city’;
Using SQL to View DD in Oracle
Some Oracle DD (Catalog) Tables
• SYS.IND$
– Contains the indexes defined for every table
• describe sys.ind$
• select i.ind#, o.name
from sys.ind$ i, sys.obj$ o
where i.obj# = o.obj#;
• select count(*) from sys.ind$;
• SYS.USER$
– Contains name, password, and other information
about each user
• select password from sys.user$
where name = ‘jparsons’;
Using SQL to View DD in Oracle
Some Oracle DD (Catalog) Tables
• SYS.VIEW$
– Contains information about defined views
• describe sys.view$
• select * from sys.view$;

• SYS.TAB$
– Contains administrative information about tables
• There are many additional system tables in
the Oracle data dictionary
Using Comments to Describe
Database Objects
• COMMENT ON statement
– Can put comments on each database object as a
general description of that object
– comment on
table orders
is ‘Contains all unfilled orders’;
– comment on
column orders.dollars
is ‘Total value =
qty*products.price’;
Using Comments to Describe
Database Objects
• select comment$ from sys.com$
where col# is null
and obj# in
(select obj# from sys.obj$
where name = ‘orders’);
• The DD contains a lot of information we may not
want to be generally available
• Possible to create views such that users can see
data related only to tables created by themselves
• Tables owned by sys (the DBA) are not generally
available to ordinary users
Sample Queries on the DD
• Can a particular user create a table with a particular
name, or has s/he already used that name?
• Which views are based on more than one base
table?
• Finally, one to show you we have not covered
everything there is to know ...
– How much storage space is still free in the entire
database?
– select sum(f.length*ts.blocksize)
from sys.ts$ ts, sys.fet$ f
where ts.ts# = f.ts#;
grant statement
connect, dba, resource
• Several versions of grant statement
• connect: allows new users to have access to Oracle
• grant connect to jeff
identified by pwxx4r;
• resource: allows users to create their own tables
with all privileges (see later) on those tables
• grant resource to veda, greenthing;
/* Assumes veda and greenthing exist
• dba: execute all commands on all database objects
• grant dba to mom, dick, mary
identified by dad, ehsg, plymouth;
grant Statement
Table Privileges
• Allows “owner” of a table to control access by other
database users to data in the tables
• Types of access include
– select: allows users to select from specified
table
– insert, delete, update, index, alter
– references: allows user to define foreign keys
on specified table
– all: allows user all privileges specified above
• with grant option clause allows recipient to
pass the privilege on
grant Statement
Table Privileges
• grant insert on orders to paul
with grant option;
• grant insert, delete, update
on customers to marilyn;
• grant update (quantity)
on products
to anil;
• grant select on agents to public;
/* Provides every user the
privilege */
grant and revoke
Statements
• All table privileges are stored in a table called
TABAUTH$ with primary key SEQUENCE#
• Update privileges on columns are stored in
COLAUTH$
• revoke statement withdraws privileges previously
granted (connect, dba, resource, table privileges)
• revoke dba from dick;
• revoke resource from greenthing;
• revoke delete on customers from
marilyn;
• revoke select on agents from public;

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy