Introduction to Database

System

Objectives
1. Some common uses of database systems.
2. Characteristics of file-based systems.
3. Problems with file-based approach.
4. Meaning of the term database.
5. Meaning of the term Database Management
System (DBMS).

Objectives
6. Typical functions of a DBMS.
7. Major components of the DBMS environment.
8. Personnel involved in the DBMS environment.
9. History of the development of DBMSs.
10.Advantages and disadvantages of DBMSs.

Examples of Database
Applications
1. Purchases from the supermarket
2. Purchases using your credit card
3. Booking a holiday at the travel agents
4. Using the local library
5. Using the Internet
6. Studying at university

File-based Systems
1. Collection of application programs that perform services for the
end users (e.g. reports).
2. Each program defines and manages its own data.

File-based Processing

Limitations of File-based Approach

Separation and isolation of data

Each program maintains its own set of data.

Users of one program may be unaware of
potentially useful data held by other
programs.

Duplication of data
Same data is held by different programs.
Wasted space and potentially different values
and/or different formats for the same item.

Limitations of File-based Approach

Data dependence
Filestructureisdefinedintheprogramcode.
Incompatible file formats
Programsarewrittenindifferentlanguages,andso
cannoteasilyaccesseachothersfiles.
Fixed Queries/Proliferation of application
programs
Programsarewrittentosatisfyparticularfunctions.
Anynewrequirementneedsanewprogram.
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DatabaseApproach
Arose because:
Definition of data was embedded in application
programs, rather than being stored separately
and independently.
No control over access and manipulation of data
beyond that imposed by application programs.
Result
the database and Database Management System
(DBMS).

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Database
1. Shared collection of logically related data (and
a description of this data), designed to meet
the information needs of an organization.
2. System catalogue (metadata) provides
description of data to enable programdata
independence.
3. Logically related data comprises entities,
attributes, and relationships of an
organization's information.

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DatabaseManagementSystem
(DBMS)
A software system that enables users to define, create, and
maintain the database and which provides controlled access to
this database.

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DatabaseApproach
DBMS provides :
Data definition language
(DDL).

Data manipulation
language (DML).

Allows specification of
data types, structures
and any data
constraints.

General enquiry facility

(query language) of the
data.

All specifications are

stored in the database.

User can insert, update,

delete and retrieve data
from the database

DDL statements are

used to define the
database structure or
schema.
Commands: create, alter,
drop,14 truncate, rename

DatabaseApproach
Controlled access to database may include:
A security system.
An integrity system.
A concurrency control system.
A recovery control system.
A user-accessible catalogue.
A view mechanism.
Provides users with only the data they want or
need to use.

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Views
1. Allows each user to have
his or her own view of the
database.
2. A view is essentially some
subset of the database.

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Benefitsofdatabase
Benefits include:
Reduce complexity;
Provide a level of security;
Provide a mechanism to customize the appearance of the
database;
Present a consistent, unchanging picture of the structure of the
database, even if the underlying database is changed.

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ComponentsofDBMSEnvironment

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ComponentsofDBMSEnvironment
Can range from
a PC to a
network of
computers

Used by the
organization and a
description of this
data called the
schema

DBMS, operating
system, network
software (if
necessary) and also
the application
programs

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Acts as a bridge
between the
machine
components and
human
components

Instructions and
rules that should be
applied to the
design and use of
the database and
DBMS.

RolesintheDatabaseEnvironment
1. Data Administrator (DA)
2. Database Administrator (DBA)
3. Database Designers (Logical and Physical)
4. Application Programmers
5. End Users (naive and sophisticated)

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HistoryofDatabaseSystems
First-generation

Hierarchical and Network

Second generation
Relational

Third generation
Object Relational
Object-Oriented

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AdvantagesofDBMS
1. Control of data redundancy
2. Data consistency
3. More information from the same amount
of data.
4. Sharing of data
5. Improved data integrity
6. Improved security
7. Enforcement of standards
8. Economy of scale
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AdvantagesofDBMS
1. Balanced conflicting requirements
2. Improved data accessibility and
responsiveness
3. Increased productivity
4. Improved maintenance through data
independence
5. Increased concurrency
6. Improved backup and recovery services

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DisadvantagesofDBMS
1. Complexity
2. Size
3. Cost of DBMS
4. Additional hardware costs
5. Cost of conversion
6. Performance
7. Higher impact of a failure
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