DBMS Overview

• A database management system (DBMS) is a software package designed to define, manipulate, retrieve and manage data in a database.
• A DBMS generally manipulates the data itself, the data format, field names, record structure and file structure. It also defines rules to validate and manipulate this data.
• A DBMS relieves users of framing programs for data maintenance. Fourth- generation query languages, such as SQL, are used along with the DBMS package to interact with a database.
• Some other DBMS examples include: MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, dBASE, FoxPro, MS-Access etc.

Database

A database is a collection of information that is organized so that it can be easily accessed, managed and updated. Data is organized into rows, columns and tables, and it is indexed to make it easier to find relevant information.

Characteristics of DBMS

• Provides security and removes redundancy (duplication)
• Insulation between programs and data abstraction
• Support of multiple views of the data
• Sharing of data and multiuser transaction processing
• DBMS allows entities and relations among them to form tables.
• It follows the ACID concept (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability).
• DBMS supports multi-user environment that allows users to access and manipulate data in parallel.

Objective of DBMS

1. Eliminate redundant data.
2. Make access to the data easy for the user.
3. Provide for mass storage of relevant data.
4. Protect the data from physical harm and un-authorized systems.
5. Allow for growth in the data base system.
6. Make the latest modifications to the data base available immediately.
7. Allow for multiple users to be active at one time.
8. Provide prompt response to user requests for data.

Advantages of DBMS

• DBMS offers a variety of techniques to store & retrieve data
• DBMS serves as an efficient handler to balance the needs of multiple applications using the same data
• Application programmers never exposed to details of data representation and storage.
• A DBMS uses various powerful functions to store and retrieve data efficiently. Offers Data Integrity and Security
• The DBMS implies integrity constraints to get a high level of protection against prohibited access to data.
• A DBMS schedules concurrent access to the data in such a manner that only one user can access the same data at a time
• Reduced Application Development Time

Disadvantages of DBMS

• Cost of Hardware and Software of a DBMS is quite high which increases the budget of your organization.
• Most database management systems are often complex systems, so the training for users to use the DBMS is required.
• In some organizations, all data is integrated into a single database which can be damaged because of electric failure or database is corrupted on the storage media.
• Use of the same program at a time by many users sometimes lead to the loss of some data.
• DBMS can't perform sophisticated calculations.

Application of DBMS

Purpose of Database System

• Organize Data: Structure data systematically for easy management.
• Retrieve Information: Quickly access and query data.
• Ensure Security: Protect data from unauthorized access.
• Maintain Integrity: Ensure accuracy and consistency of data.
• Backup and Recovery: Safeguard against data loss and restore information if needed.
• Support Multiple Users: Allow concurrent access and collaboration.
• Optimize Performance: Improve efficiency in data handling and retrieval.
• Facilitate Reporting: Generate and analyze data reports effectively.