In this guide, you will learn what is DBMS and its components, advantages and disadvantages.
What is DBMS?
A DBMS or Database Management System is a software system that allows users to define, create and maintain a database. It provides controlled access to the data. The commercially available DBMS in the market are dBase, Foxpro, IMS and Oracle.
Representation of DBMS
Let us take an example of a university database. In DBMS, the university database can be represented, as shown in the following figure:
Components of the DBMS Environment
The DBMS environment is composed of five components, as given below :
Hardware: Pc, Workstation, Mainframe, a network of computers.
Software: DBMS, operating system, and application programs.
Data: It is used by the organization and the description of this data is called a schema.
Procedure: Instructions and rules that should apply to the design and use of the database and DBMS.
People: DBA, Application program and end-user.
Advantages of DBMS Over File System
Controlled Redundancy: In a database management system, redundancy can be controlled.
Integrity Can be enforced: Integrity of data means that data in a database is always correct, such that incorrect information cannot be stored in a database.
Inconsistency can be avoided: When the same data is duplicated and changes are made at one site, which is not done on other sites, it is called inconsistency and we can avoid it in DBMS because it is a centralized approach.
Data can be shared: The data about the name, class, and father’s name of the general office is shared by multiple applications in centralized DBMS.
Standard can be enforced: Since DBMS is a central system, standards can be enforced easily at the company level and department level.
Restricting unauthorized access: When the data is shared, the unauthorized users cannot access the data.
Provides backup and recovery: A DBMS provides facilities for recovery from hardware and software.
Low cost: The cost of developing and maintaining a DBMS is low.
Concurrency control: DBMS provides a mechanism for concurrent access of data to multiple users.
Disadvantages of DBMS
Complexity: DBMS is an extremely complex piece of software. Database designers, developers, database administrators and end-users must understand the functionality to take full advantage of it.
Size: The complexity makes the DBMS a large piece of software.
Performance: The DBMS is written to be more general. The effect is that some applications may not run as fast as they used to.
Higher impact of failure: The centralization of resources increases the risk of the system.
Cost of DBMS: The cost of DBMS depends on the environment and functionality provided.
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