Introduction to Database
Database is a collection of information in a structured way. We can say that it is a collection of agroup of facts and processed information’s.Databases store informationin fields, records, andfiles. A field is a single piece of information—a customer’sfirst name, for example. A record isone complete set of fields—the customer’sfirst name, last name, address, phone number, andaccount information. And a fileis a collection of records—a complete list of all customers.
File System
The file system that comes with your computer is a very primitive kind of database managementsystem. Data are kept in big unstructured named clumps called
files
. A flat file database is adatabase designed around a single table. The flat file design puts all database information in onetable, or list, with fields to represent all parameters. A flat file may contain many fields, often, withduplicate data that are prone to data corruption. If you decide to merge data between two flat files,you need to copy and paste relevant information from one file to the other. There is no automation between flat files.
Database Management System (DBMS)
To use information contained in a database, you need a Database ManagementSystem (DBMS), acollection of software programs that let you to enter, organize,and select information stored in thedatabase. Each column in a database tablecontains a different type of attribute and each rowcorresponds to a single record.For example, in a table of customers, the columns might includename, address,phone number, and account information; each row is a separate customer.The most typical DBMS is a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). An RDBMSstores information in tables of rows and columns. The relationships between table data can becollated, merged and displayed in database forms. Most relational databases offer functionality toshare data across networks over the Internet
DBMS vs. File Systems
Databases management systems (DBMS's -- Oracle, SQL,)have certain features that you can't getwith a flat file.1.
Speed
.
Modern DBMS's have very advanced routines forgetting you data as quickly as possible.2.
Management of relational entities
. DBMS's are good at storing data aboutmultiple,related entities.3.
Transaction and update guarantees
. DBMS's allow you to protect your data-- back itup, be able to roll back unwanted transactions, ensure that a setof operations on data executesatomically, etc.4.
Data Security
.
Database provide different level of securities by having password to accessdifferent level of database which is not provided with file systems
5
.
Data Administration
.
You can administrate the values being entered in the database byhaving various constraints on the data field. For example, you may allow only numeric fields insalary field.6
.
Concurrent Access
.
Multiple users can access the database at a same time and by using lock system u can manage the updating of the database on the same field.7
.
Crash recovery
.
In case your database crashes, it has a special mechanism by using you canrecover your database on the last saved state.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
1.Data independence -application programs are insulated from changes in the way data isstructured and stored which allows dynamic changes and provides growth potential.2.Efficient data access -3.Data administration - centralized4.Data integrity & security -5.Concurrent access and crash recovery6.Reduced application development time
Disadvantages
7.Problems associated with centralization8.Cost of software/hardware and migration9.Complexity of backup and recoveryIn reality, centralized databases are applicable only to small operations. Companies are bought,sold, and merge often necessitating interaction between distributed databases. An enterprisedatabase is constructed from the distributed databases.
Components of DBMS
The components of a database system include:
Data:
Database: data that is stored more-or-less permanently in a computer.
Database management system (DBMS): software which allows the user to use or modifythe database.
DBMS Facilities
o
Data definition language (DDL): used to define the conceptual scheme. The schemeis compiled and stored in the data dictionary.
o
Data manipulation language (DML): query sublanguage (retrieval), maintenancesublanguage (insertion, deletion, modification).
Structure of DBMS
o
DDL compiler: Compiles conceptual schemes to tables stored in the data dictionary.
o
Database manager: translates query into file operations
o
Query Processor:
o
File manager: often a general purpose file system provided by the operating system.
o
Disk manager
o
Telecommunication system
o
Data files
o
Data dictionary: structure and usage of data contained in the database.
o
Access aids: indexes
Users:
o
Database application programmers: develop programs or interfaces for naive andonline users which are precompiled queries.
o
Database implementers
o
Database administrator (DBA): oversee and manage resources
Design of the conceptual and physical schemas
Security and authorization:
Data availability and recovery from failures - backups and repairing damagedue to hardware or software failures or misuse.
Database tuning: performance and database evolution
o
Database Designers
o
End users
Casual end users
Naive or parametric end users
Sophisticated end users
Stand-alone users
Data Model
A data models is a collection of concepts that can be used to describe the structure of a database.By structure of a database we mean the data types relationships and constrains that should hold onthe data. The following are the various types of data models used:
Semantic Data model
Firstly we should be clear on what both terms means:Semantics– way of linking the entity and the information we have about the data to help us get agood understanding of the systemData Model– Data models are made up of:1) Structures used to create the model (building blocks)2) Operators we can use on the structures3) Integrity rules, both explicit and implicitA Widely used semantic data model is called as the Entity Relationship (ER) model.
Relational Model
The
Relation
is the basic element in a relational data model.
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Introduction to Database
Introduction to Database
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