What is a DBMS?

A DBMS is a system that allows users to create, modify, and query databases while ensuring data
integrity, security, and efficient data access. Unlike traditional file systems, DBMS minimizes data
redundancy, prevents inconsistencies, and simplifies data management with features like concurrent
access and backup mechanisms. It organizes data into tables, views, schemas, and reports, providing
a structured approach to data management.

Example:

A university database can store and manage student information, faculty records, and administrative
data, allowing seamless retrieval, insertion, and deletion of information as required.

Key Features of DBMS

1. Data Modeling: Tools to create and modify data models, defining the structure and
relationships within the database.

2. Data Storage and Retrieval: Efficient mechanisms for storing data and executing queries to
retrieve it quickly.

3. Concurrency Control: Ensures multiple users can access the database simultaneously
without conflicts.

4. Data Integrity and Security: Enforces rules to maintain accurate and secure data, including
access controls and encryption.

5. Backup and Recovery: Protects data with regular backups and enables recovery in case of
system failures.

Types of DBMS

There are several types of Database Management Systems (DBMS), each tailored to different data
structures, scalability requirements, and application needs. The most common types are as follows:

1. Relational Database Management System (RDBMS)

RDBMS organizes data into tables (relations) composed of rows and columns. It uses primary keys to
uniquely identify rows and foreign keys to establish relationships between tables. Queries are written
in SQL (Structured Query Language), which allows for efficient data manipulation and retrieval.

Examples: MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server and Postgre SQL.

2. NoSQL DBMS

NoSQL systems are designed to handle large-scale data and provide high performance for scenarios
where relational models might be restrictive. They store data in various non-relational formats, such
as key-value pairs, documents, graphs, or columns. These flexible data models enable rapid scaling
and are well-suited for unstructured or semi-structured data.

Examples: MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB and Redis.

3. Object-Oriented DBMS (OODBMS)

Examples: ObjectDB, db4o.

Database Languages

Database languages are specialized sets of commands and instructions used to define, manipulate,
and control data within a database. Each language type plays a distinct role in database
management, ensuring efficient storage, retrieval, and security of data. The primary database
languages include:

1. Data Definition Language (DDL)

DDL is the short name for Data Definition Language, which deals with database schemas and
descriptions, of how the data should reside in the database.

 CREATE: to create a database and its objects like (table, index, views, store procedure,
function, and triggers)

 ALTER: alters the structure of the existing database

 DROP: delete objects from the database

 TRUNCATE: remove all records from a table, including all spaces allocated for the records are
removed

 COMMENT: add comments to the data dictionary

 RENAME: rename an object

2. Data Manipulation Language (DML)

DML focuses on manipulating the data stored in the database, enabling users to retrieve, add,
update, and delete data.

 SELECT: retrieve data from a database

 INSERT: insert data into a table

 UPDATE: updates existing data within a table

 DELETE: Delete all records from a database table

 MERGE: UPSERT operation (insert or update)

 CALL: call a PL/SQL or Java subprogram

 EXPLAIN PLAN: interpretation of the data access path

 LOCK TABLE: concurrency Control

3. Data Control Language (DCL)

DCL commands manage access permissions, ensuring data security by controlling who can perform
certain actions on the database.
  GRANT: Provides specific privileges to a user (e.g., SELECT, INSERT).

 REVOKE: Removes previously granted permissions from a user.

4. Transaction Control Language (TCL)

TCL commands oversee transactional data to maintain consistency, reliability, and atomicity.

 ROLLBACK: Undoes changes made during a transaction.

 COMMIT: Saves all changes made during a transaction.

 SAVEPOINT: Sets a point within a transaction to which one can later roll back.

5. Data Query Language (DQL)

DQL is a subset of DML, specifically focused on data retrieval.

 SELECT: The primary DQL command, used to query data from the database without altering
its structure or contents.

Paradigm Shift from File System to DBMS

Before the advent of modern Database Management Systems (DBMS), data was managed using
basic file systems on hard drives. While this approach allowed users to store, retrieve, and update
files as needed, it came with numerous challenges.

A typical example can be seen in a file-based university management system, where data was stored
in separate sections such as Departments, Academics, Results, Accounts, and Hostels. Certain
information like student names and phone numbers was repeated across multiple files, leading to
the following issues:

1. Redundancy of data

When the same data exists in multiple places, any update must be manually repeated everywhere.
For instance, if a student changes their phone number, it must be updated across all sections. Failure
to do so leads to unnecessary duplication and wasted storage.

2. Inconsistency of Data

Data is said to be inconsistent if multiple copies of the same data do not match each other. If the
Phone number is different in Accounts Section and Academics Section, it will be inconsistent.
Inconsistency may be because of typing errors or not updating all copies of the same data.

3. Complex Data Access

A user should know the exact location of the file to access data, so the process is very cumbersome
and tedious. If the user wants to search the student hostel allotment number of a student from
10000 unsorted students’ records, how difficult it can be.

4. Lack of Security

File systems provided limited control over who could access certain data. A student who gained
access to a file with grades might easily alter it without proper authorization, compromising data
integrity.

5. No Concurrent Access
File systems were not designed for multiple users working at the same time. If one user was editing a
file, others had to wait, which hindered collaboration and slowed down workflows.

6. No Backup and Recovery

File systems lacked built-in mechanisms for creating backups or recovering data after a loss. If a file
was accidentally deleted or corrupted, there was no easy way to restore it, potentially causing
permanent data loss.

Advantages of DBMS

1. Data organization: A DBMS allows for the organization and storage of data in a structured
manner, making it easy to retrieve and query the data as needed.

2. Data integrity: A DBMS provides mechanisms for enforcing data integrity constraints, such as
constraints on the values of data and access controls that restrict who can access the data.

3. Concurrent access: A DBMS provides mechanisms for controlling concurrent access to

4. Data security: A DBMS provides tools for managing the security of the data, such as
controlling access to the data and encrypting sensitive data.

5. Backup and recovery: A DBMS provides mechanisms for backing up and recovering the data
in the event of a system failure.

6. Data sharing: A DBMS allows multiple users to access and share the same data, which can be
useful in a collaborative work environment.

Disadvantages of DBMS

1. Complexity: DBMS can be complex to set up and maintain, requiring specialized knowledge
and skills.

2. Performance overhead: The use of a DBMS can add overhead to the performance of an
application, especially in cases where high levels of concurrency are required.

3. Scalability: The use of a DBMS can limit the scalability of an application, since it requires the
use of locking and other synchronization mechanisms to ensure data consistency.

4. Cost: The cost of purchasing, maintaining and upgrading a DBMS can be high, especially for
large or complex systems.

5. Limited Use Cases: Not all use cases are suitable for a DBMS, some solutions don’t need high
reliability, consistency or security and may be better served by other types of data storage.

Applications of DBMS

1. Enterprise Information: Sales, accounting, human resources, Manufacturing, online retailers.

2. Banking and Finance Sector: Banks maintaining the customer details, accounts, loans,
banking transactions, credit card transactions. Finance: Storing the information about sales
and holdings, purchasing of financial stocks and bonds.
3. University: Maintaining the information about student course enrolled information, student
grades, staff roles.

4. Airlines: Reservations and schedules.

5. Telecommunications: Prepaid, postpaid bills maintance.