What is DBMS?
To understand DBMS, we first must understand what data means! Data is information. In lay man’s terms, Data is what we see every day. Everything we see and later-on utilizes is information, i.e.; data. A database is a collection of data, which can be sorted, utilized, modified depending upon the usage. There are four main types of Database organizations:
- Relational Database
- Flat Database
- Object-Oriented
- Hierarchical Database
In early days, data used to be stored into a traditional database or in a file structure format, but the databases then used to be heavy and hence slow. Slow data transmission and data usage used to be major hindrances in development and used to slow down the whole working structure. To solve this problem a need for an efficient solution was craved, ‘Database Management System’;. DBMS is software which manages databases.
Definition Of DBMS
To define DBMS simply, “Database Management System is software which allows the users to CREATE, UPDATE, DELETE and RETRIEVE the data or the records stored”. It not only allows users to manipulate data but to create databases as per their requirements. All users may or may not know, how to play with the data directly from and/or into the database, but DBMS software provides the users with an interface, which helps them to access and modify the data more easily and efficiently. DBMS also provides some special features like Data Security and Data Protection; which a regular data storage facility or an old data storage system cannot provide. Today there are many Database Management Systems available in the market;
List of Database Management Systems
- MYSQL
- Oracle
- MS-Access
- SQLite
- Maria DB
- PostgreSQL
So, one can wonder why to use DBMS, while so many options are available and will it be suitable for their specific uses.
Characteristics of Database Management Systems
Below are some useful characteristics of DBMS which are as follows:
1. Access:
DBMS provides multiple users to access the same data across the network. So, even though the data is stored at a single location, multiple people across the globe can access the same shared resource and utilize it and manipulate the data.
2. Data Sharing:
2. Data Sharing:Earlier, data transfer and data sharing was a herculean task, but with DBMS, data sharing is made easier. Software’s are integrated with data sharing access feature. So, it can be shared easily over a network and that too securely.
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3. Data Security:
3. Data Security:With data transmission over a network, the question of data security arises, but with DBMS data sharing and security, data sharing is done in an encrypted format. Data encryption allows users to send and receive the data more efficiently and without any risk of data theft.
4. Data Search:
A common database provided can help in searching and then, in-a-way utilizing it in a more efficient manner. Data searches often take up a lot of time, but integrated and single location situated data, optimizes the search.
5. Restricted Access:
5. Restricted Access:Though data is accessed and shared very easily, not all the data can be accessed by everyone. Roles are defined in DBMS. Restricted access provides more level of security to the data, as people with certain access levels are cleared to access data. Else only data can be viewed, but not modified.
6. Data Independence:
Data changes do not hamper any system or don’t modify the application.
7. Usage:
DBMS definition can be defined according to the usage of the application, so less memory and less time is needed for the application to start and for the use. Hence, all types of business can use DBMS.
8. Cost:
8. Cost:Costing of DBMS applications is more as compared with other applications/software, but in the long-run, it is more cost-friendly, as the maintenance costs are low or negligible. As there are so many characteristics of DBMS, there are many advantages associated with it which is why one should use it, viz :
- Secure data
- Access restrictions
- Simple access to the data
- Data independence
- Data duplicity
- Reduced long term costs
- Reduced development and maintenance time
- Data integration with cloud servers
- Data backup
- Multi-user usability
Yes, as the saying goes, every coin has two coins; disadvantages are also linked with it. Costs are generally very high and low-budget companies might not be able to afford it.
All of these important characteristics are useful for all the users, but these users are classified as per the DBMS usage, they are:
- End users
- Programmers
- Database Administrators
End Users are the people like us, who have no-knowledge or little knowledge of how the system works. They are the users of the system, who are unaware of what goes around at the back-end of the software/system. Access restrictions are applicable to these people, only sharing and data manipulation accesses are generally given to the end users. Programmers are the people who play with the coding behind all what the system does or is supposed to do. Database Administrators are the people having supreme rights over the data and the database. They are ones, who provide everyone with access and can block anyone out.
Scope
People out who are looking to get into the IT industry or want to specialize in a database should have knowledge of DBMS else there’s a bleak chance of survival. With this ever-increasing data, the need to have DBA’s and database knowledgeable people will increase. DBMS surely is the thing which is going to rule the world, as data is the key to all the things. Yes, there are going to be changed in how and where the data is to be stored, but DBMS will remain the same. Not only in just the IT industry, but DBMS is being used by a variety of people. Sectors like; Banking, Manufacturing, Online Bookings (E-Ticketing) are using it. We all have been using the current trending applications, Whatsapp, Instagram, Snapchat on a daily basis, but do we know what goes behind all the interface, it’s DBMS!
To state clearly here, DBMS is here to stay and with ever-evolving technologies, one needs to keep himself abreast with the help of it. There’s No Other Way!
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