Database Management Systems for the geosciences

Abstract

Data structure and its management is of strategic importance to many organisations in the geosciences. As the complexity and quantity of data being handled grows, it is imperative that efficient and reliable means be provided for: (a) data communication, between different organisations or on one computer system; (b) data archiving and retrieval, so that the high cost of information may be protected; and (c) data access, to enable efficient computation using the information. Different data structure may be required for different purposes. The complexity of the data structure definition depends on the breadth of users and systems requiring access to the data. Computational data structures must be efficient, e.g. arrays in Fortran. Data structures for archival and retrieval purposes need to be sufficiently well defined that a change of computer environment is not hindered by the archived data. Data structures for communication are intermediate in complexity between the above. Database Management Systems provide a means for storing data so that it persists between individual applications. The major benefits of such systems are that DBMS's promote data sharing and impose standards so that the data can be easily converted into a form suitable for a particular requirement.