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Database:
A database is an organized collection of related data.
(Or)
A database is a well-organized collection of data in a meaningful way.
Examples: Bank database, Student database, products database
Sailors database, Library database, Flights database.
and the data they contain to make it easy to find and access them.
File systems may use a storage device such as a hard disk or
CD-ROM and involve maintaining the physical location of the files.
The manual filing system works well when the no of items to be
stored is small.
It is a decentralized approach, where each department, with the
assistance of Data Processing (DP) staff, stored and controlled its
own data.
Student database:
Take an example of college where student record for examination is
stored in other file and his library record is stored in different file that
creates many duplicate values like roll Number, Name and Father
Name.
Q. Explain, Limitations of the File Processing System I File-Based
Approach
There are following problems associated with the File Based Approach:
1. Separation and isolation of data
2. Duplication of data
3. Data dependence
4. Incompatible file formats
5. Fixed queries/proliferation of application programs
6. Data Security problems
7. Concurrency problems
8. No standards
2. Duplication of data:
Often the same information is stored in more than one file.
Uncontrolled duplication of data is not required for several reasons,
such as:
Duplication is wasteful. It costs time and money.
It takes up additional storage space.
Duplication can lead to loss of data integrity.
3. Data Dependence:
In file based approach application programs are data dependent. It
means that, with the change of data, application programs are also
affected and needs modification. In other words application programs
are dependent on how the data is physically stored and accessed.
4. Incompatible file formats:
As the structure of files is embedded in the application programs, the
structures are dependent on the application programming language.
For example, the structure of a file generated by a COBOL program
may be different from the structure of a file generated by a 'C' program.
5. Fixed queries/proliferation of application programs
From the end-user’s point of view, file-based systems were a great
improvement
over manual systems. Consequently, the requirement for new or
modified queries grew. However, file-based systems are very
dependent upon the application developer, who has to write any
queries or reports that are required.
6. Data Security problems
The security of data is low in file based system because, the data is
maintained in the flat file(s) is easily accessible
7. Concurrency problems
When multiple users access the same piece of data at same interval of
time then it is called as concurrency of the system. When two or more
users read the data simultaneously there is a problem.
8. No standards
There is less choice of apply a common standard(set of rules) among
various independent systems.