järjestelmäkanta

Järjestelmäkanta refers to a system database or system catalog in computing. It is a central repository that stores metadata about the database itself, including information about tables, views, indexes, users, permissions, and other database objects. This metadata is crucial for the database management system (DBMS) to operate correctly.

The system catalog is often implemented as a set of special tables and views that are accessible to database administrators and authorized users. These tables contain definitions of all database objects, their structures, data types, constraints, and relationships. The DBMS queries the system catalog extensively during query processing, to validate SQL statements, determine access paths, and manage resources.

In essence, the järjestelmäkanta acts as a blueprint for the database. It provides the necessary information for the DBMS to understand how the data is organized, how to retrieve it efficiently, and how to maintain its integrity. Without a properly functioning system catalog, a database would be unable to store, manage, or retrieve data effectively. Its maintenance and security are therefore critical aspects of database administration.