Advantages and Disadvantages of Database Systems (DBMS's)

Organization's Critical Resource

• Information is the backbone and most critical resource of an organization.

Definition of Information

• According to Burch et al., information is the result of processing, analyzing, and interpreting data.

Quality and Accuracy of Information

• Quality information means information that is relevant, timely, and useful for decision-making.
• Accuracy in information means the correctness and precision of the information.

Database Management System (DBMS)

• The primary purpose of a DBMS is to define, create, maintain, and manipulate databases.

File Systems

• Variable-length records are a type of records that may vary in length within a file.
• Disadvantages of the traditional file system approach include:
  • Data redundancy and inconsistency
  • Difficult data access and manipulation
  • Inadequate data security

Database Approach

• Advantages of the database approach over the file-based approach include:
  • Improved data sharing and integration
  • Better data consistency and reduced redundancy
  • Improved data security and reduced data duplication

Database Systems (DBMS)

• Main advantage: improved data management and reduced data redundancy.
• Disadvantage: increased complexity and cost.

Database Model or Schema

• The purpose of the database model or schema is to define the structure and relationships of the data.

Database State

• The database state represents the current state of the data in the database.

Catalog in a DBMS

• The catalog maintains information about the database structure, including schema, views, and access controls.

Database Administrator

• The Database Administrator (DBA) is responsible for implementing and monitoring the database infrastructure.

Data Model Layers

• The internal layer of the data model specifies how the data is physically stored.
• The external data model's views provide a customized view of the data for different users.