W1. Introduction To Database

Database Management System
Introduction to Database
Dr. Abdul Ahad
Content taken from: © Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005

Objectives
To learn:
•Some common uses of database systems.
•The characteristics of file-based systems.
•The problems with the file-based approach.
•The meaning of the term ‘database’.
•The meaning of the term ‘database management system’ (DBMS).
•The typical functions of a DBMS.
•The major components of the DBMS environment.
•The personnel involved in the DBMS environment.
•The history of the development of DBMSs.
•The advantages and disadvantages of DBMSs.
Examples of Database Applications
• Purchases from the supermarket
– reduces the number of items
– reorder
• Purchases using your credit card
– within your credit limit
– list of stolen or lost cards
– monthly statements
• Booking a holiday at the travel agents
– two different agents do not book the same holiday or overbook
the seats on the flight.
Examples of Database Applications
• Using the local library
– computerized index
– find a book based on its title, or its authors, or its subject area
– Informed by mail when the book is available
– reminders to borrowers about return date
• Taking out insurance
• Renting a video
• Using the Internet
• Studying at university
File-Based Systems
• Collection of application programs that perform services for the end users
• Reports
• Each program defines and manages its own data.
• File-based systems were an early attempt to computerize the manual filing
system that we are all familiar with.
Example
• DreamHome
 Sales Department
o market
o inquiry
 Contracts Department
o handling the lease agreements
 Payroll Department
 Personnel Department
File-Based Processing
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.
Limitations of File-Based Approach
• Data dependence
– File structure is defined in the program code.
– For example, increasing the size of the field.
• Incompatible file formats

– Programs are written in different languages, and so cannot easily
access each other’s files.
• Fixed Queries of application programs

– Programs are written to satisfy particular functions.
– Any new requirement needs a new program.
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).
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.
Database Management System
(DBMS)
• A software system that enables users to define, create, maintain, and
control access to the database.
• (Database) application program: a computer program that interacts with

database by issuing an appropriate request (SQL statement) to the DBMS.
Database Management System (DBMS)
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.
• Procedures
– Instructions and rules that should be applied to the design and
use of the database and DBMS.
• People
Components of DBMS Environment
Roles in the Database Environment
• Data Administrator (DA)
The Data Administrator (DA) is responsible for the management of
the data resource including database planning, development and
maintenance of standards, policies and procedures, and
conceptual/logical database design.
• Database Administrator (DBA)

The Database Administrator (DBA) is responsible for the physical
realization of the database, including physical database design and
implementation, security and integrity control, maintenance of the
operational system, and ensuring satisfactory performance of the
applications for users.
• Database Designers (Logical and Physical)
The logical database designer is concerned with identifying the data (that is,
the entities and attributes), the relationships between the data, and the
constraints on the data that is to be stored in the database. The physical
database designer decides how the logical database design is to be
physically realized.
• Application Programmers
Once the database has been implemented, the application programs that
provide the required functionality for the end-users must be implemented.
• End Users (naive and sophisticated)
The end-users are the ‘clients’ for the database. Naïve users are typically
unaware of the DBMS while the sophisticated end-user is familiar with the
structure of the database
History of DBMS
• First-generation
– Hierarchical and Network
• Second generation
– Relational
• Third generation
– Object-Relational
– Object-Oriented
Advantages of DBMSs
• Control of data redundancy
• Data consistency
• More information from the same amount of data
• Sharing of data
• Improved data integrity
• Improved security
• Economy of scale
• Improved data accessibility and responsiveness
• Increased productivity
• Improved maintenance through data independence
• Increased concurrency
• Improved backup and recovery services
Disadvantages of DBMSs
• Complexity
• Size
• Cost of DBMS
• Additional hardware costs
• Cost of conversion
• Performance
• Higher impact of a failure
Functions of a DBMS
• Data Storage, Retrieval, and Update.
• A User-Accessible Catalogue.
• Transaction Support.
• Concurrency Control Services.
• Recovery Services.
• Authorization Services.
• Support for Data Communication.
• Integrity Services.
• Services to Promote Data Independence.
• Utility Services.

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Database Management System

Content taken from: © Pearson Education Limited 1995, 2005

• Incompatible file formats

• Fixed Queries of application programs

• System catalog (metadata) provides description of data to enable program–

• Logically related data comprises entities, attributes, and relationships of an

• (Database) application program: a computer program that interacts with

• Database Administrator (DBA)

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