MaxDB is a relational database system with which you can create, use and manage MaxDB database instances.
A database instance comprises a database and the additional information required for the operation of the database. A database is a set of data with a regular structure. The data in a database is comprised of the application data (data records) and the database catalog (metadata).
Every database instance has a unique name. A database instance can be in different operational states, for example ONLINE, ADMIN, OFFLINE. In the ONLINE operational state, users can work with the data in the database instance, while the ADMIN operational state allows database administrators to execute administration tasks.
As a user, to query or change data in a database, you use the Structured Query Language (SQL). Using SQL, you can display, change and delete the logical units (database objects) of the database instance, such as tables. You can use schemas to group database objects logically. You can combine multiple SQL statements to make transactions. To isolate individual transactions from one another, the database system sets locks for database objects.
The database system uses B* trees and page chains as logical structures for accessing data (see Data Storage and Access). In physical terms, a database instance comprises the data and log volumes (permanent memory), multiple caches, the files in the run directory and a collection of metadata (including configuration files, database parameters, paths of the volumes, etc.).
See also:
Creating and Configuring a Database Instance