Which item is a key function of a data administrator?

• A. Tuning database management systems.
• B. Designing marketing campaigns.
• C. Managing payroll.
• D. Answering customer inquiries.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that a data administrator focuses on making the database system perform well and stay reliable. Tuning the database management system is central because it directly affects how fast data can be stored and retrieved, how efficiently queries run, and how resources like memory and disk I/O are used. This includes adjusting indexes, query plans, and DBMS configuration to reduce bottlenecks and improve overall performance, which keeps applications responsive and data available.

Marketing design, payroll, and customer inquiries belong to other areas of the business—marketing, human resources/payroll, and customer support, respectively. They may use data, but they aren’t the core responsibilities of someone who administers and optimizes the database system.