Database Administrator (DBA) Definition

A database administrator (DBA) is similar to a database developer or designer except that the DBA's key responsibility is ensuring that a database is available at all times to the users and programs that need it. This includes making backups and archiving data. It also includes on-going monitoring to ensure that the database is responding to requests quickly. Sometimes the DBA has some hardware knowledge so that the appropriate servers can be purchased to ensure the database's performance is not impacted by hardware bottlenecks.

In large companies, there is likely to be a dedicated DBA that doesn't do anything other than focus on database administration. In smaller companies, the DBA role often falls to a developer that has the necessary experience or an IT manager that is responsible for maintaining a number of systems.

Related Terms

• Data Architect
• Database Designer
• Data Modeler

Other Definitions