In database administration, what is a DBA and what are the primary responsibilities of this role?

Introduction / Context:
In organisations that depend on databases for storing critical information, the Database Administrator, commonly abbreviated as DBA, plays a central role. The DBA is responsible for ensuring that database systems are available, secure, performant, and recoverable. This role combines technical skills with planning and coordination activities. Interview questions frequently ask what a DBA is and what responsibilities are associated with the position to confirm that candidates understand the organisational importance of database administration.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are dealing with relational database management systems such as Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, or MySQL.
• The DBA role exists to manage these systems in a production environment.
• The job involves both day to day operations and long term planning.
• The DBA works closely with developers, system administrators, and business stakeholders.

Concept / Approach:
A Database Administrator is a specialised IT professional whose main focus is the health and performance of database systems. Key responsibilities typically include installing and upgrading database software, creating and managing databases and tablespaces, configuring security and user access, monitoring performance, tuning SQL and instance parameters, managing backups and recovery procedures, and planning for capacity and high availability. The correct option must identify the DBA as a Database Administrator and list several of these core responsibilities rather than unrelated tasks.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that DBA stands for Database Administrator in the context of information technology.Step 2: Recall that DBAs handle installation, configuration, and upgrades of database management systems.Step 3: Remember that DBAs manage security by defining users, roles, and permissions, and by enforcing policies for data protection.Step 4: Note that performance tuning, monitoring resource usage, and adjusting configuration parameters are important ongoing tasks.Step 5: Understand that DBAs design and manage backup and recovery strategies to protect data against failures and disasters.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you review job descriptions for database administrator positions, you will consistently see responsibilities such as managing database servers, configuring replication or clustering, setting up backup jobs, and responding to performance incidents. You will not see descriptions that match copying user files manually or managing television advertising networks. This confirms that the correct interpretation of DBA is Database Administrator with the responsibilities outlined above, matching option A.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B invents a Desktop Backup Assistant role, which is not a standard abbreviation for DBA and does not cover the broad responsibilities of database management. Option C describes a Data Broadcast Agent for television advertisements, which belongs to a different industry. Option D refers to a hardware Device Bus Adapter, which is related to hardware interfacing, not database administration. None of these alternatives capture the widely accepted meaning of DBA in the context of information technology.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to underestimate the importance of the DBA role and treat databases as simple software that can run without specialised care. This can lead to poor performance, security vulnerabilities, and inadequate backup strategies. Another mistake is to think that developers alone can handle all database tasks; while developers design schemas and write queries, DBAs bring deep expertise in tuning, recovery, and operational stability. Organisations that invest in skilled DBAs enjoy more reliable and performant data platforms.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: A Database Administrator responsible for installing, configuring, securing, tuning, and backing up database systems