Database access languages and application programming interfaces. The DBMS provides data access
through a query language. A query language is a nonprocedural language—one that lets the user specify
what must be done without having to specify how. Structured Query Language (SQL) is the de facto query
language and data access standard supported by the majority of DBMS vendors. Chapter 7 and Chapter 8,
Advanced SQL, address the use of SQL. The DBMS also provides application programming interfaces to
procedural languages such as COBOL, C, Java, Visual Basic.NET, and C#. In addition, the DBMS provides
administrative utilities used by the DBA and the database designer to create, implement, monitor, and maintain
the database.