The Integrated Dictionary/Directory System

The concept of an integrated Dictionary/Directory (D/D) System is discussed in detail, and the state of current systems in both the centralized and distributed database environments is surveyed For the centrahzed database environment, three aspects are emphasized: (1) the software tnterfaces between the D / D System and other software packages, (2) the convert functmns of the D / D System, and (3) the environmental dependency between the D / D System and a Database Management System (DBMS). For the distributed database environment, the artmle elucidates the necessary extensions to the centrahzed D/D, the additional software interfaces required, and the use of the D / D as a distributed database. An example of a commercial D / D System that is integrated with a distributed DBMS is presented.