Lecture One

Introduction to Databases

Based on Chapter One of this book:

Database Systems: A Practical Approach

to Design, Implementation and
Management

International Computer Science S. 

Carolyn Begg, Thomas Connolly

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Lecture 1 Objectives
 Some common uses of database systems.
 Characteristics of file-based systems.
 Problems with file-based approach.
 Meaning of the term database.
 Meaning of the term Database Management
System (DBMS).

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Lecture 1 Objectives
 Typical functions of a DBMS.
 Major components of the DBMS environment.
 Personnel involved in the DBMS environment.
 History of the development of DBMSs.
 Advantages and disadvantages of DBMSs.

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Examples of Database Applications
 Purchases from the supermarket
 Purchases using your credit card
 Booking a holiday at the travel agents
 Using the local library
 Taking out insurance
 Using the Internet
 Studying at university

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Tutorial Exercise

Identify four further examples

of database systems

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File-based Systems
 Collection of application programs that
perform services for the end users (e.g. reports).

 Each program defines and manages its own

data.

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File-based Processing

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Limitations of File-based Approach
 Separation and isolation of data
– Each program maintains its own set of data.
– Users of one program may be unaware of
potentially useful data held by other programs.

 Duplication of data
– Same data is held by different programs.
– Wasted space and potentially different values
and/or different formats for the same item.

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Limitations of File-based Approach
 Data dependence
– File structure is defined in the program code.

 Incompatible file formats

– Programs are written in different languages, and so
cannot easily access each others files.

 Fixed Queries/Proliferation of application programs

– Programs are written to satisfy particular functions. Any
new requirement needs a new program.

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Instructor-Led Practical Exercise
 We will take a look at an example program
written in Visual Basic that stores data in a simple
sequential file.

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Tutorial Question

Describe the approach taken to the

handling of data in the early file-based
systems. Discuss the disadvantages of
this approach.

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Possible Solution to Tutorial Question

 This answer is intended to give you an idea

of the level of detail I am expecting in the
discussion questions that will come up on
this module
 I won’t be providing answers to all these
questions!

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Possible Solution to Tutorial Question
 Focus was on applications for which programs would be
written, and all the data required would be stored in a file
or files owned by the programs.
 Clearly, each program was responsible for only its own
data, which could be repeated in other program’s data
files. Different programs could be written in different
languages, and would not be able to access another
program’s files. This would be true even for those
programs written in the same language, because a program
needs to know the file structure before it can access it.

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Database Approach
 Arose because:
– Definition of data was embedded in application
programs, rather than being stored separately and
independently.
– No control over access and manipulation of data
beyond that imposed by application programs.

 Result
– the database and Database Management System
(DBMS).

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Database
 Shared collection of logically related data (and a
description of this data), designed to meet the
information needs of an organization.

 System catalog (metadata) provides description

of data to enable program–data independence.

 Logically related data comprises entities,

attributes, and relationships of an organization's
information.

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Database Management System (DBMS)
 A software system that enables users to define,
create, and maintain the database and which
provides controlled access to this database.

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Tutorial Question

Describe the main characteristics

of the database approach and
contrast it with the file-based
approach.

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Class Discussion
 We will consider this tutorial question and list a
number of key points on the whiteboard

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Database Management System (DBMS)

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Database Approach
 Data definition language (DDL).
– Permits specification of data types, structures and
any data constraints.
– All specifications are stored in the database.

 Data manipulation language (DML).

– General enquiry facility (query language) of the
data.

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Database Approach
 Controlled access to database may include:
– A security system.
– An integrity system.
– A concurrency control system.
– A recovery control system.
– A user-accessible catalog.

 A view mechanism.
– Provides users with only the data they want or need
to use.

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Views
 Allows each user to have his or her own view of
the database.

 A view is essentially some subset of the

database.

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Views
 Benefits include:
– Reduce complexity;
– Provide a level of security;
– Provide a mechanism to customize the appearance
of the database;
– Present a consistent, unchanging picture of the
structure of the database, even if the underlying
database is changed.

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Components of DBMS Environment

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Components of DBMS Environment
 Hardware
– Can range from a PC to a network of
computers.
 Software
– DBMS, operating system, network software (if
necessary) and also the application programs.
 Data
– Used by the organization and a description
of this data called the schema.

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Components of DBMS Environment
 Procedures
– Instructions and rules that should be applied to
the design and use of the database and DBMS.
 People

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Roles in the Database Environment

 Data Administrator (DA)

 Database Administrator (DBA)
 Database Designers (Logical and Physical)
 Application Programmers
 End Users (naive and sophisticated)

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Tutorial Question
Discuss the roles of the following personnel in the
database environment:

 Data Administrator (DA)

 Database Administrator (DBA)
 Database Designers (Logical and Physical)
 Application Programmers
 End Users (naive and sophisticated)

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Class Discussion
 Again we will list main points on the whiteboard

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