File vs Database Assignment

1544_MCS5303_Intro to Database Systems

Mannuru Venkata Ratish Kumar Reddy

Lawrence Technological University

09/08/2023

Dr. D.
 File system vs Database system

File System - A file system is a way of organizing and saving data which functions as some kind
of search for all of the data stored within a storage device. Hard drives, optical drives, and portable
storage devices are just a few instances of these devices.

➢ The maximum amount of characters that can be used in a name, the permitted characters,
and other naming rules are all specified by file systems. A file system also has a syntax for
describing a file's route through the hierarchy of directories. In the Windows operating
system, a file is placed in a directory, folder, or subdirectory at the specified location in the
tree structure.

Database System - An organized collection of data that is organized for effective administration,
storage, and retrieval is referred to as a database system. Data that is conceptually connected and
housed in a single, logically ordered repository makes up a database system. An additional option
is to directly divide the data among several storage websites. The primary objective of a database
system is to manage vast quantities of data.

➢ Database systems can be utilized for communicating data more rapidly, securely, and
efficiently inside an organization. A data system replies to database requests quickly,
allowing more rapid access to accurate data. A DBMS's features include concurrency,
security, backup and recovery, integrity, and data descriptions, only to name a few.

Narrative Perspective:-

➢ A file system is similar to a filing cabinet. It preserves files that mimic documents in
memory. The files can be stored in the folders, which simulate drawers. The file system
permits users to view and change files, but it imposes no demands about data relationships
or integrity.

➢ For instance, a file called "venkata_record.txt" could be kept on a file system. The names,
addresses, and phone numbers of customers may be listed in this file. The organization of
these records would not be governed by any rules imposed by the file system. There can
be duplicate records and the records could be in any sequence.

➢ A database system resembles a warehouse. It stores data on tables, which resemble shelves.
Explicit foreign keys join the tables to each other. Constraints on data integrity, such as
referential integrity, are imposed by the database system. This ensures that the database's
data is always consistent.

➢ For instance, a database system might store a "customers" table. This table would have
columns for the customer's name, address, and phone number. The database system would
enforce the demand that the customer's name must be distinct. When doing this, duplicate
customer records wouldn't be present in the database.
Analytical Perspective:-

➢ An analytical overview of the primary distinctions between file systems and database
systems is provided in the following table:

Feature File System Database System

Data
Files Tables
organization

Can be Faster for

slow for the
Performance
complex complex
queries queries

Scalability Not as scalable as

More scalable
database systems

Not as secure as
More Secure
Security database systems

➢ It is clear that file systems and database systems have an abundance of benefits and drawbacks.
While being more simple to use than database systems, file systems are additionally less scalable
and secure. Database systems have a number of benefits including security, requirements for data
integrity, and data communication, despite be more expensive and sophisticated.

➢ Whether a file system or a database system will depend upon the particular demands of the
application. The ideal option for an application that must maintain lots of data or that needs to do
sophisticated queries on the information is a database system. If an application only has to store a
small amount of data or does not require the capacity to run complicated requests, a file system is
a more convenient and cost-effective solution.
Consider these additional aspects when distinguishing between a file system and a database
system:-

➢ Security: If the data has to be mostly secure, a database is preferable. Comparing to file systems,
database systems have increased safety.

➢ Data volume: If the application needs maintain a lot of data, a system with databases is excellent.
File systems can become efficient and sluggish when storing an enormous amount of data.

➢ Cost: File systems tend to be less expensive as database systems. The cost of the system,
however, can be affordable if the application requires the features and effectiveness that a system
containing databases offers.

➢ Data complexity: If the data is complicated and linked together, a system of databases is the best
solution. Systems that organize files cannot handle complex data relationships.

➢ Performance: If the application needs to do specific actions on the data, a system that uses
databases is chose. On file systems, complex queries might be slow.