Database Management System
Database Concepts
Basic Concepts and Definitions the key to organizational success is effective decision making which requires timely, relevant and accurate information. Hence, information plays a critical role in today's competitive environment. Database Management Software (DBMS) simplifies the task of managing the data and extracting useful information out of it. In this chapter, we shall learn about the basic concepts of databases and learn how to use DBMS for some applications.
Basic Concepts and Definitions
The key to organizational success is effective decision
making which requires timely, relevant and accurate information. Hence, information
plays a critical role in today's competitive environment. Database Management
Software (DBMS) simplifies the task of managing the data and extracting useful
information out of it. In this chapter, we shall learn about the basic concepts
of databases and learn how to use DBMS for some applications. Data is a
collection of raw facts, which have not been processed to reveal useful
information. Information is produced by processing data.
Data -> Processing -> Information
Databases are being used extensively in our day-to-day life. Be it business, engineering, medicine, education, library, to name a few. For example, consider the name, class; roll number, marks in every subject of every student in a school. To record this information about every student in a school, the school might have maintained a register, or stored it on a hard drive using a computer system and software such as a spreadsheet or DBMS package. Such collection of related data that has been recorded, organized and made available for searching is called a Database.
A database has the
following properties:
1) A database is a representation of some aspect of the real
world also called mini world. Whenever there are changes in this mini world,
they are also reflected in the database.
2) It is designed, built and populated with data for specific
purpose.
3) It can be of any
size and complexity.
4) It can be
maintained manually or it may be computerized.
Need for a Database
In traditional file processing, data is stored in the form of files. A number of application programs are written by programmers to insert, delete, modify and retrieve data from these files. New application programs will be added to the system as the need arises. For example, consider the Sales and Payroll departments of a company. One user will maintain information about all the salespersons in the Sales department in some file say File1 and another user will maintain details about the payroll of the salesperson in a separate file say File2 in the Payroll Department.
1. Data Redundancy: Same information is stored in more than
one file. This would result in wastage of space.
2. Data
Inconsistency: If a file is updated then all the files containing similar
information must be updated else, it would result in inconsistency of data.
3. Lack of Data Integration: As data files are independent,
accessing information out of multiple files becomes very difficult.
Database approach overcomes these problems and also adds a
lot of advantages as discussed later. In database approach, a single repository
of data is maintained which different users as per their needs access.
Database Management System
(DBMS)
A database management system is a collection of programs that enables users to create, maintain and use a database. It enables creation of a repository of data that is defined once and then accessed by different users as per their requirements. Thus, there is a single repository of data, which is accessed by all the application programs as shown.
The various operations that need to be performed on a
database are as follows:
1. Defining the
Database: It involves specifying the data type of data that will be stored in
the database and also any constraints on that data.
2. Populating the Database: It involves storing the data on some storage medium that is controlled by DBMS.
3. Manipulating the Database: It involves modifying the
database, retrieving data or querying the database, generating reports from the
database etc.
4. Sharing the Database: Allow multiple users to access the database at the same time.
5. Protecting the Database: It enables protection of the
database from software/ hardware failures and unauthorized access.
6. Maintaining the Database: It is easy to adapt to the
changing requirements. Some examples of DBMS are – MySQL, Oracle, DB2, IMS, and
IDS etc.
Characteristics of Database
Management Systems
The main characteristics of a DBMS are as follows:
1. Self-describing Nature of a Database System: DBMS contains not only the database but also the description of the data that it stores. This description of data is called Meta[1]data. Meta-data is stored in a database catalogue or data dictionary. It contains the structure of the data and the constraints that are imposed on the data.
2. Insulation Between Programs and Data: Since the
definition of data is stored separately in a DBMS, any change in the structure
of data would be done in the catalogue and hence programs, which access this
data, need not be modified. This property is called Program-Data Independence.
3. Sharing of Data: A multiuser environment allows multiple
users to access the database simultaneously. Thus, a DBMS must include
concurrency control software to allow simultaneous access of data in the
database without any inconsistency problems.
Types of Users of DBMS
1. End Users: Users
who use the database for querying, modifying and generating reports as per
their needs. They are not concerned about the working and designing of the
database. They simply use the DBMS to get their task done.
2. Database Administrator (DBA): As the name implies, the DBA administers the database and the DBMS. The DBA is responsible for authoring access, monitoring its use, providing technical support, acquiring software and hardware resources.
3. Application
Programmers: Application programmes write application programs to interact with
the database. These programs are written in high-level languages and SQL to
interact with the database.
4. System Analyst: System analyst determines the
requirements of the end users and then develops specifications to meet these
requirements. A system analyst plays a major role in the database design and
all the technical, economic and feasibility aspects.
Advantages of using DBMS
Approach
The need of DBMS itself explains the advantages of using a
DBMS. Following are the advantages of using a DBMS:
1. Reduction in Redundancy: Data in a DBMS is more concise
because of the central repository of data. All the data is stored at one place.
There is no repetition of the same data. This also reduces the cost of storing
data on hard disks or other memory devices.
2. Improved Consistency: The chances of data inconsistencies in a database are also reduced as there is a single copy of data that is accessed or updated by all the users.
3. Improved Availability: Same information is made available
to different users. This helps sharing of information by various users of the
database.
4. Improved Security: Though there is improvement in the
availability of information to users, it may also be required to restrict the
access to confidential information. By making use of passwords and controlling
users' database access rights, the DBA can provide security to the database.
5. User Friendly: Using a DBMS, it becomes very easy to
access, modify and delete data. It reduces the dependency of users on computer
specialists to perform various data related operations in a DBMS because of its
user-friendly interface.
Limitations of using DBMS
Approach
The two main disadvantages of using a DBMS:
1. High Cost: The cost of implementing a DBMS system is very high. It is also a very time[1]consuming process, which involves analyzing user requirements, designing the database specifications, writing application programs and then providing training.
2. Security and
Recovery Overheads: Unauthorized access to a database can lead to four Database
Management Applications threat to the individual or organization depending on
the data stored. In addition, the data must be regularly backed up to prevent
its loss due to fire, earthquakes, etc. Hence the DBMS approach is usually not
preferred when the database is small, well defined, less frequently changed and
used by few users.
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