Database Management Systems

Evolution of Database Management Systems

A database management system (DBMS) allows data to be organized, stored and retrieved. In a
database, information is stored in the form of tables that may or may not be interrelated. This is a
method of communicating with the memory stored in the computer. Basically it can be pointed
out that database is a compilation of database files and each database file is further a collection
of records.

In the early years of computers, cards called punch cards were used for input, output and data
storage. Punch cards were introduced as an acceleration to data entry and data retrieval. Herman
Hollerith is credited with adapting punch cards used in weaving to act as memory in a
mechanical table machine in 1890. Much later, databases came along. (geeksforgeeks, 2022)
 What is a DBMS

As indicated somewhat above, a database management system (DBMS) is middleware that

allows programmers, database administrators (DBAs), software applications, and end users to
store, organize, access, query, and manipulate data in a database.In the enterprise, database
management systems provide database administrators (DBAs) with a structured framework that
facilitates data sharing among different departments, teams and applications. The DBMS
provides employees with controlled and organized access to data that they can use to drive
innovation and help their company maintain a competitive edge.Database Management Systems
(DBMSs) are categorized according to their data structures or types.This helps provide data
security, data integrity, concurrency, and uniform data administration procedures.Database
management systems can be classified based on different criteria such as data format, database
distribution or user numbers.The most commonly used types of DBMS software are relational,
distributed, hierarchical, object-oriented, and network.Previously, databases could only manage
individual data segments. Today's complex systems can handle many different types of less
structured data and link them in more complex ways. End users can now create, protect, read,
update and delete data in a database with the help of a DBMS. (techopedia, 2023)
 Main Types of Database Management Systems

There are four main types of database management systems.

1. Hierarchical database
2. Network database
3. Contact database
4. Object-oriented database

1.Hierarchical DBMS

An example of a hierarchical database is data organized in a tree-like structure. Data is stored in

a hierarchical manner. Data is represented using a parent-child relationship. (spiceworks, 2022)

2.Network model

Network database model Each child can have multiple parents. It helps you to solve the need to
model more complex relationships like order/parts many-to-many relationships. In this model,
entities are organized in a graph that can be accessed through several paths. (spiceworks, 2022)

3.Relationship model

Relational DBMS is the most widely used DBMS model and is one of the easiest. This model is
based on the normalization of the data in the rows and columns of the tables. The relational
model is stored in static structures and manipulated using SQL. A separate explanation has been
made about this below. (spiceworks, 2022)

4.Object-oriented model

In an Object-Oriented Model, data is stored in the form of objects.Structures are called classes
that display data within it. It is one aspect of DBMS that defines a database as a collection of
objects that store both values and operations of data members. Images and other media types that
one cannot keep in a relational database are included in multimedia databases. (spiceworks,
2022)
 Characteristics and properties of a database management system

● Provides protection and removes excess

● Self-describing nature of a database system
● Insulation between programs and data abstraction
● Providing support for multiple views of data.
● Data sharing and multi-user transaction processing
● Database management software allows entities and relationships to be created in tables
● It follows the ACID concept (atomicity, consistency, isolation and durability).
● A DBMS supports a multi-user environment that allows users to access and manipulate
data in parallel.

Relational DBMS

A relational database management system (RDBMS) is one of the most popular database
systems among organizations worldwide and is a collection of programs and capabilities that
enable technology teams and others to create, update, administer, and otherwise interact with a
relational database. It offers a combination of system performance and ease of operation while
providing a reliable method for storing and retrieving large amounts of data. Relational DBMS is
based on the relational model that represents data as tables with rows and columns. RDBMSs
store data in tabular form, with most commercial relational database management systems using
Structured Query Language (SQL) to access the database (OCI, 2023)

Popular DBMS Software

● MySQL
● Microsoft Access
● Oracle
● PostgreSQL
● dBASE
● FoxPro
● SQLite
● IBM DB2
● LibreOffice Base (spiceworks, 2022)
MySQL

This is an open source relational database management system (RDBMS) with a client-server
structure.Even developers consider MySQL a database with a human-like language. One of
MySQL's drawbacks is the scalability embedded in its code, which was not taken into account
when it was developed. (spiceworks, 2022)

Microsoft Access

Microsoft's DBMS, called Access, integrates a graphical user interface, software development
tools, and the associated Microsoft Jet Database Engine.The advantages of MS Access include
its quick and easy creation of a fully effective relational database management system, ease of
importing data from many sources, and simplicity of customization to suit individual and
business needs. (spiceworks, 2022)

Oracle

It is the company's fourth attempt at developing a relational database management system.Large

enterprises, especially, can store large volumes of data on the Oracle database. In addition, it
supports adaptive and shared structured query language (SQL) and locking. (spiceworks, 2022)

PostgreSQL

The open source database management system PostgreSQL is designed for businesses.For
flexibility and SQL compatibility, it allows both relational and non-relational queries in SQL and
JSON.All popular operating systems, including Linux, UNIX, and Windows, support
PostgreSQL. It also goes by the name Postgres. (spiceworks, 2022)

Data Administrator

As a data administrator, they support the marketing, sales, finance, and operations departments
by providing accurate, complete, and current data on customer, product, inventory, and vendor
data.Database administrators (also known as database managers).Companies take care of
databases so that information is stored securely and is only accessible to authorized
personnel.Database administrators must also ensure that these individuals can access the
information they need when they need it, and that it is in the format they need. (TargetJobs,
2023)
 Database Designer

'What is a database designer?'A database architect is in charge of designing, developing,

implementing, and maintaining a company's data management systems.You can look at their
various daily tasks that range from creating to maintaining an organization's database to facilitate
their performance.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Database Management Systems

Advantages of DBMS

● Minimal data mismatch

Data inconsistencies occur when different versions of the same data are stored in different
locations. (For example, there is a data mismatch when the principal's name is 'Raman Desai' in a
school's database, and 'Naman Desai' in another. Here, there is an inconsistency because the
principal is the same and must be the same everywhere in a database.) Such errors are very
minimal in a properly designed DBMS. (unstop, 2023)

● Multiple access

A DBMS allows users to access the same database from different locations and for different
purposes. For example, an HR administrator can use it to review annual salary increases, and the
development team can use it to find temporary replacements for sick team members.(LinkedIn
2023)
 ● Organizing the work environment

A database management system can be used to seamlessly organize the work environment. Data
can be easily accessed, updated and processed quickly using SQL. Popular systems like
Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL can come with software that enables third-party access to
data.(LinkedIn, 2023)

● Enhanced data security

A DBMS acts as a highly secure bank vault that protects data. It uses various security measures
like encryption and access control. It protects data from unauthorized access, theft or
manipulation. This ensures that sensitive information remains confidential and can only be
accessed by authorized persons. (Linkeid, 2023)

Disadvantages of DBMS

● DBMS are very expensive

A DBMS requires highly professional staff, sophisticated hardware and software, and is quite
expensive to operate and maintain.Also, training costs for staff and licensing costs are significant
additions to the total cost of DBMS operations. (unstop, 2023)
 ● Complexity issues
Implementing and managing a DBMS is very complex. It requires skilled people with knowledge
to maintain it.If one does not use the DBMS properly, problems may occur in the system. These
problems can cause database failure or data loss. (unstop, 2023)

● Not useful for small companies

DBMS are designed to be useful for large organizations. In general, traditional file systems work
better for small businesses compared to DBMS. This is because the performance of DBMS is
slow for small companies. Also, it is quite expensive for them to use DBMS, so it is not useful
for small companies. (unstop, 2023)

● Security
Security is a major concern when it comes to implementing DBMS. Safely stores confidential or
sensitive information in a database related to the organization here. All that sensitive or
confidential information can be highly vulnerable if a cyber attack or data breach occurs.To
mitigate these risks, organizations can invest in strong security measures such as encryption,
firewalls, but even after implementing these security measures, your data is not guaranteed to be
safe.(shiksha, 2023)