Decision Support System for Database Management System Selection

摘要

An interactive micro-computer based decision support system was designed and developed to aid in the evaluation of Database Management Systems (DBMS). DBMS attributes were researched in order to develop a hierarchy of attributes that reflect the important factors that must be considered when implementing a DBMS. After the hierarchy was established, different DBMS were evaluated relative to the attributes, and a base knowledge was established. The Decision Support System for DBMS Selection used the Analytical Hierarchy Process to allow the user to create a scenario that represents his requirements, and then evaluated this scenario against the base of knowledge. Several problems including an incomplete hierarchy and excessive input requirements were identified and solutions were implemented in the system. A preliminary evaluation indicates that users with database experience find the system responsive and usable, which those without database experience were easily confused. Several suggestions for further research are proposed. Keywords: Thesis; Decision theory management information systems. (Author)