Database

A database is an organized collection of structured information, or data, typically stored electronically

in a computer system. A database is usually controlled by a database management system (DBMS).
Together, the data and the DBMS, along with the applications that are associated with them, are
referred to as a database system, often shortened to just database.
Data within the most common types of databases in operation today is typically modeled in rows and
columns in a series of tables to make processing and data querying efficient. The data can then be
easily accessed, managed, modified, updated, controlled, and organized. Most databases use
structured query language (SQL) for writing and querying data.

database management system (DBMS)

A database management system (DBMS) is system software for creating and managing databases.
The DBMS provides users and programmers with a systematic way to create, retrieve, update and
manage data.A DBMS makes it possible for end users to create, read, update and delete data in a
database. The DBMS essentially serves as an interface between the database and end users
or application programs, ensuring that data is consistently organized and remains easily accessible.

The DBMS manages three important things: the data, the database engine that allows data to be
accessed, locked and modified -- and the database schema, which defines the database’s logical
structure. These three foundational elements help provide concurrency, security, data integrity and
uniform administration procedures. Typical database administration tasks supported by the DBMS
include change management, performance monitoring/tuning and backup and recovery. Many
database management systems are also responsible for automated rollbacks, restarts and recovery
as well as the logging and auditing of activity.

The DBMS is perhaps most useful for providing a centralized view of data that can be accessed by
multiple users, from multiple locations, in a controlled manner. A DBMS can limit what data the end
user sees, as well as how that end user can view the data, providing many views of a single database
schema. End users and software programs are free from having to understand where the data is
physically located or on what type of storage media it resides because the DBMS handles all
requests.

The DBMS can offer both logical and physical data independence. That means it can protect users
and applications from needing to know where data is stored or having to be concerned about
changes to the physical structure of data (storage and hardware). As long as programs use the
application programming interface (API) for the database that is provided by the DBMS, developers
won't have to modify programs just because changes have been made to the database.

Advantages of a DBMS

Using a DBMS to store and manage data comes with advantages, but also overhead. One of the
biggest advantages of using a DBMS is that it lets end users and application programmers access
and use the same data while managing data integrity. Data is better protected and maintained when it
can be shared using a DBMS instead of creating new iterations of the same data stored in new files
for every new application. The DBMS provides a central store of data that can be accessed by
multiple users in a controlled manner.

Central storage and management of data within the DBMS provides:

 Data abstraction and independence

 Data security

 A locking mechanism for concurrent access

 An efficient handler to balance the needs of multiple applications using the same data

 The ability to swiftly recover from crashes and errors, including restartability and recoverability

 Robust data integrity capabilities

 Logging and auditing of activity

 Simple access using a standard application programming interface (API)

 Uniform administration procedures for data

Database - Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

 Reduced data redundancy

 Reduced updating errors and increased consistency
 Greater data integrity and independence from applications programs
 Improved data access to users through use of host and query languages
 Improved data security
 Reduced data entry, storage, and retrieval costs
 Facilitated development of new applications program

Disadvantages

 Database systems are complex, difficult, and time-consuming to design

 Substantial hardware and software start-up costs
 Damage to database affects virtually all applications programs
 Extensive conversion costs in moving form a file-based system to a database system
 Initial training required for all programmers and users

8 Advantages of Databases for Any Type of Business

1. Ability to store large amounts of information

This ability is essential for large companies with a large number of customers and this volume of information must
be handled very precisely.

2. Sharing information

Databases allow users to share common information. Therefore, if you have a business with different company
locations you can share your data at same time with the different business locations.

3. Having quick access to information

The information is obtained quickly and easily, which greatly facilitates the work and allows you having better
customer service.

4. Eliminating duplications

By centralizing all information in a database you prevent duplication of existing information which usually
presents a common problem in business.

5. Increasing productivity
Access to information is faster now than ever before. Information will be structured without any duplication –
allowing you to work better, faster with increased productivity in your company.

6. Reducing storage space

Information is digitized so it takes less space than when stored on paper. You will always have certain documents
that will have to be on paper. Try to scan all of your documentation. It is a large initial effort it will make all your
tasks easier.

7. Information Security

A database can have several parts depending on users. You can limit certain access to certain parts of the data for
certain users. That way the security and confidentiality of data will be guaranteed and secured.

8. Easy maintenance

As the information is digitized it is easier and economical to carry out any maintenance.

Link between CRM and Databases

Databases are essential to establish a CRM strategy in your company. A CRM strategy consists of acquiring and
storing your customer’s information which will let you manage these relationships around the data. With
segmented information you will be able to optimize important aspects of marketing communication, such as:

 offering more personalized advertising campaigns

 offering specific support
 keeping a detailed record of all sent and received documents from your company
All orders, quotes and the sales process will be automated.

Improving your online communication strategy

Online marketing should play an important role in your company. You can create your database by collecting
relevant data about your customers from the major social media networks, which will also help you to improve
your online communication strategy.

file system
In a computer, a file system -- sometimes written filesystem -- is the way in which files are named and
where they are placed logically for storage and retrieval. Without a file system, stored information
wouldn't be isolated into individual files and would be difficult to identify and retrieve. As data
capacities increase, the organization and accessibility of individual files are becoming even more
important in data storage.

Digital file systems and files are named for and modeled after paper-based filing systems using the
same logic-based method of storing and retrieving documents.

File systems can differ between operating systems (OS), such as Microsoft Windows, macOS and
Linux-based systems. Some file systems are designed for specific applications. Major types of file
systems include distributed file systems, disk-based file systems and special purpose file systems.

How file systems work

A file system stores and organizes data and can be thought of as a type of index for all the data contained in a
storage device. These devices can include hard drives, optical drives and flash drives.

File systems specify conventions for naming files, including the maximum number of characters in a name,
which characters can be used and, in some systems, how long the file name suffix can be. In many file systems,
file names are not case sensitive.
Along with the file itself, file systems contain information such as the size of the file, as well as its attributes,
location and hierarchy in the directory in the metadata. Metadata can also identify free blocks of available
storage on the drive and how much space is available.

File systems and the role of metadata

File systems use metadata to store and retrieve files. Examples of metadata tags include:

 Date created

 Date modified

 Last date of access

 Last backup

 User ID of the file creator

 Access permissions

 File size

Metadata is stored separately from the contents of the file, with many file systems storing the file names in
separate directory entries. Some metadata may be kept in the directory, whereas other metadata may be kept in
a structure called an inode.

In Unix-like operating systems, an inode can store metadata unrelated to the content of the file itself. The inode
indexes information by number, which can be used to access the location of the file and then the file itself.

An example of a file system that capitalizes on metadata is OS X, the OS used by Apple. It allows for a number
of optimization features, including file names that can stretch to 255 characters.

File system access

File systems can also restrict read and write access to a particular group of users. Passwords are the easiest way
to do this. Along with controlling who can modify or read files, restricting access can ensure that data
modification is controlled and limited.
File permissions such as access or capability control lists can also be used to moderate file system access. These
types of mechanisms are useful to prevent access by regular users, but not as effective against outside intruders.

Encrypting files can also prevent user access, but it is focused more on protecting systems from outside attacks.
An encryption key can be applied to unencrypted text to encrypt it, or the key can be used to decrypt encrypted
text. Only users with the key can access the file. With encryption, the file system does not need to know the
encryption key to manage the data effectively.

Types of file systems

There are a number of types of file systems, all with different logical structures and properties, such as speed
and size. The type of file system can differ by OS and the needs of that OS. The three most common PC
operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Mobile OSes include Apple iOS and Google
Android.

Major file systems include the following:

File allocation table (FAT) is supported by the Microsoft Windows OS. FAT is considered simple and
reliable, and it is modeled after legacy file systems. FAT was designed in 1977 for floppy disks, but was later
adapted for hard disks. While efficient and compatible with most current OSes, FAT cannot match the
performance and scalability of more modern file systems.

Global file system (GFS) is a file system for the Linux OS, and it is a shared disk file system. GFS offers
direct access to shared block storage and can be used as a local file system.

GFS2 is an updated version with features not included in the original GFS, such as an updated metadata system.
Under the terms of the GNU General Public License, both the GFS and GFS2 file systems are available as free
software.

Hierarchical file system (HFS) was developed for use with Mac operating systems. HFS can also be referred
to as Mac OS Standard, and it was succeeded by Mac OS Extended. Originally introduced in 1985 for floppy
and hard disks, HFS replaced the original Macintosh file system. It can also be used on CD-ROMs.

The NT file system -- also known as the New Technology File System (NTFS) -- is the default file system for
Windows products from Windows NT 3.1 OS onward. Improvements from the previous FAT file system
include better metadata support, performance and use of disk space. NTFS is also supported in the Linux OS
through a free, open-source NTFS driver. Mac OSes have read-only support for NTFS.

Universal Disk Format (UDF) is a vendor-neutral file system used on optical media and DVDs. UDF replaces
the ISO 9660 file system and is the official file system for DVD video and audio as chosen by the DVD Forum.

File system vs. DBMS

Like a file system, a database management system (DBMS) efficiently stores data that can be updated and
retrieved. The two are not interchangeable, however. While a file system stores unstructured, often unrelated
files, a DBMS is used to store and manage structured, related data.
A DBMS creates and defines the restraints for a database. A file system allows access to single files at a time
and addresses each file individually. Because of this, functions such as redundancy are performed on an
individual level, not by the file system itself. This makes a file system a much less consistent form of data
storage than a DBMS, which maintains one repository of data that is defined once.

The centralized structure of a DBMS allows for easier file sharing than a file system and prevents anomalies
that can occur when separate changes are made to files in a file system.