The DBMS

[Tara2]

Why does "DBMS" take "the"?

"and so we cannot expect the DBMS to enforce the requirement; indeed, we already know from Chapter 9 that consistency does not imply correctness. "
An Introduction to Database Systems, 8th edition, C J Date

 

[teechar]

The "S" in DBMS stands for "system". That is a countable noun, so it needs a determiner when it is singular. Since the author has already talked about (mentioned or alluded to) some DBMS, then the definite article "the" is appropriate.

 

[Tara2]

The "S" in DBMS stands for "system". That is a countable noun, so it needs a determiner when it is singular. Since the author has already talked about (mentioned or alluded to) some DBMS, then the definite article "the" is appropriate.

Hello teacher
Interesting. I thought it always needs the definite article. Many thanks!

 

[emsr2d2]

Interesting. I thought it always needs the definite article. Many thanks!

That makes it sound as if you thought teechar told you that it doesn't need the definite article. If you always thought it needed the definite article, why did you ask the original question?

 

[Tara2]

That makes it sound as if you thought teechar told you that it doesn't need the definite article. If you always thought it needed the definite article, why did you ask the original question?

No, I meant that I thought it should always be "the DBMS" and it can't be "a DBMS", but my question was that why DBMS needs "the" it should be "DBMS" without "the".

 

[teechar]

No, I meant that I thought it should always be "the DBMS" and it can't be "a DBMS",

It can. For example:

A DBMS rolled out by Megasoft last week has caused major headaches for customers.

but my question was that why DBMS needs "the" it should be "DBMS" without "the".

I've answered that above. Do you still need help with it?

 

[Tara2]

It can. For example:

A DBMS rolled out by Megasoft last week has caused major headaches for customers.


I've answered that above. Do you still need help with it?

Yes, you answered my question very well and I understand. I don't have any question, many thanks.

 

[Tarheel]

Do you still need help with it?

Tara, if you answer yes to that it means you still need help. Otherwise, you might say:

No, you answered my question.

Or something like that.

 

[Tara2]

Do you still need help with it?

Tara, if you answer yes to that it means you still need help. Otherwise, you might say:

No, you answered my question.

Or something like that.

Many thanks Tarheel.
"Yes" was for "I've answered that above.".

 

[Yankee]

Why does "DBMS" take "the"?

"and so we cannot expect the DBMS to enforce the requirement; indeed, we already know from Chapter 9 that consistency does not imply correctness. "
An Introduction to Database Systems, 8th edition, C J Date

Given the limited context there could have been a previous reference to a particular DBMS, e.g. DB2, ORACLE. If not, "the" is a reference to database systems as a category.