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A database is a collection of information that is organized according to specific rules. The management of information in the database for users is usually through the Database Management System. DBMSs provide us with various tools and mechanisms for creating and managing databases.

What is a Database Management System?

A database management system, or DBMS, is software that consists of a set of related tools and components to enable complete management of information stored in a database. DBMS is a bridge between the database, the user, and the application, which is responsible for facilitating communication and interaction between these components.

Types of Database Management Systems

Different types of database management systems are in terms of structure and rules of data storage. So each of them is for a specific purpose that has relative advantages and disadvantages over the others. Each type of DBMS‌ should be chosen according to the purpose and need.

Hierarchical DBMS: The structure of this system is a tree.

Network DBMS: This system uses a network structure to store information.

Relational DBMS: This system is one of the best database management systems that is based on relational data structures.

Object-Oriented DBMS: In this system, data is an object.

NoSQL: This system is the newest database management system for when the data is not tabular.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Database Management Systems

Database management systems are designed to address the limitations of file storage systems. Of course, these DBMSs have advantages and disadvantages over file storage systems.

Advantages of using DBMSs:

Database management systems offer users many advantages and capabilities over other methods of data storage. Some of their most important benefits are:

Quick Query Access: Fast Query Access stored in files was not possible because the information was not indexed. In the files, access to the data is sequential, but in contrast, access to the information in the DBMSs is done by Random Access due to the indexing of the data.

Ensuring the accuracy of data and simultaneous connection: One of the main problems of the data storage system in the files was the lack of assurance of correct data storage and the impossibility of concurrent access to the storage location. But DBMSs easily support connecting multiple users and software to the database.

Transaction support: This feature, which was not present in the file storage system, allows data to be restored if a set of processes was not completed. For example, when you make an online purchase, the goods will not be in your possession until the purchase cost has been completed, the purchase fee has been transferred to the destination account correctly, and the amount of the goods will be returned to your account.

And the rest of them

Data standardization: Data Normalization capability of DBMSs to optimize the database. DBMSs provide us with features such as deleting duplicate information, compressing information, and so on.

One of the most significant problems with using file storage systems was their lack of scalability and low flexibility. However, DBMSs have many ways to increase the amount of information and data.

Regularization and standardization: In database management systems, standards must be observed (Standards Enforcement) to prevent any disruption of the database in the future.

Data processing and analysis: Using SQL in the database, we can process and analyze the desired information and then request the final result from the database using queries.

High security: In database management systems, access to different parts of the data can be restricted for users and other parts of the software.

Disadvantages of using DBMSs:

In addition to all the advantages that database management systems offer us, there are also disadvantages. These disadvantages are:

Complexity in database design: Designing and creating a database using database management systems is complex and time-consuming. Therefore, using these systems requires expertise and experience.

Need to provide hardware and install software: To use database management systems, we need to provide separate systems and hardware, which is costly.

Centralization of stored information: Due to the centrality of stored information, if any errors or problems occur in the database system, all information is at risk of loss. Also, as a result, all the software connected to the database will face problems. One way to prevent this type of problem is to provide support for stored information.

Software dependency: By using database management systems, the software will become dependent on the database.

Database information management

One of the uses of DBMS is to perform four operations: Create, Update, Read, and Delete information. These operations are CRUD for short. There are several DBMSs for managing database information, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The following is a list of commonly used DBMSs:

• MySQL
• PostgreSQL
• SQLite
• SQL Server
• IBM Db2
• Microsoft SQL Server
• Oracle Database
• MariaDB
• Microsoft Access
• LibreOffice Base

Tip:

SQL or Structured Query Language is the language of requesting databases; in other words, it is the common language among DBMSs.

Conclusion

Database management systems act as a means of communication between the database, the user, and the application software. Today, the use of DBMSs is almost inevitable for all programmers and developers. For this reason, every programmer must learn how to work with these systems well so that they can use them to manage their software data and information easily.

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