DBMS Database management system
The DBMS (Database management system) is usually a commercial product whose purpose is to create, process, and administer the database.DBMS tasks include:
- create database sructure;
- create table structures;
- create suporting sructures;
- data retrieval;
- data update;
- maintain database structures;
- ensure data integrity;
- control concurrency/ handle shared update;
- ensure security;
- backup/ recovery;
- replication support;
- catalogue/ data dictionary (metadata).
- A DBMS makes it easy to search through the data (queries). In a spreadsheet, you can’t easily access related data; you have to search manually for it;
- A DBMS controls redundancy (it doesn’t necessarily eliminate it,) which in turn
- saves storage space;
- makes updates easy – less processing time;
- reduces inconsistent data.
- A DBMS has security features. A spreadsheet does not;
- A DBMS can create customized forms to view, enter and edit data. A spreadsheet cannot;
- A DBMS can create customized reports to get professional hardcopy output. A spreadsheet cannot;
- A DBMS makes it easy to maintain data integrity because there are mechanisms that will ensure that the data satisfy all established rules (aka integrity constraints). A spreadsheet cannot do this;
- A DBMS is more flexible in using the data for new purposes. A spreadsheet isn’t;
- A DBMS makes sharing data easy because it is stored in just one location;
- A DBMS can provide controlled access to the data, forms, reports and other objects through a switchboard (which is actually just another form);
- A DBMS can balance conflicting requirements. (DBA structures data to benefit the whole organization. An individual (or group) may be less well served, but whole is better off);
- A DBMS increases productivity because programmers are freed up for other tasks. Also, users can do things they couldn’t do before unless they had programmers;
- A DBMS provides for data independence – the structure of the data is independent of the programs that process the data. So the structure can be changed without the programs having to change.
- Large size – occupies lots of hard disk space and RAM;
- Complexity – hard to learn, wrong choices may spell irreversible disaster later;
- Greater impact of failure – failure impacts all users;
- More difficult recovery – since it is more complex.
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