Unit -I

Q. Define Database, DBMS, Database Application & Database System.

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.

Database Management System (DBMS):

It is the software that manages and controls access to the database.
(Or)
A database management system (DBMS) is a collection of programs
that enables users to create and maintain a database
Examples: MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft Access, SQL Server,
FileMaker, Oracle, dBASE 4, Clipper, and FoxPro

Database Application: A program that interacts with the database at

some point in its execution. Examples: airline reservations systems.

Database System: It is a collection of application programs that interact

with the database along with the DBMS and the database itself.
Q. Give Examples for Database Management Systems.
1 .Purchases from the supermarket:
When you purchase goods from your local supermarket, it is likely that
a database is accessed. The shop assistant uses a bar code reader to
scan each of your purchases. This reader is linked to a database
application that uses the bar code to find out the price of the item from
a product database.
2. Purchases using your credit card:
To check your credit, there is a database application that uses your
credit card number to check that the price of the goods you wish to
buy, together with the sum of the purchases that you have already
made this month, is within your credit limit. When the purchase is
confirmed, the details of the purchase are added to this database.
3. Booking a vacation with a travel agent:
When you make inquiries about a vacation, your travel agent may
access several databases containing vacation and flight details. When
you book your vacation, the database system has to make all the
necessary booking arrangements.
4. Using the local library:
Your local library probably has a database containing details of the
books in the library, details of the readers, reservations, and so on.
There will be a computerized index that allows readers to find a book
based on its title, authors, or subject area.
5. Taking out insurance:
Whenever you wish to take out insurance—for example personal
insurance, property insurance, or auto insurance, your agent may
access several databases containing figures for various insurance
organizations. An insurance agent can search several databases to find
the organization that gives you the best deal.
6. Renting a DVD:
When you wish to rent a DVD from a DVD rental company, you will
probably find that the company maintains a database consisting of the
DVD titles that it stocks, details on the copies it has for each title,
whether the copy is available for rent or is currently on loan, details of
its members.
7. Using the Internet:
Many of the sites on the Internet are driven by database applications.
For example, you may visit an online bookstore that allows you to
browse and buy books, such as Amazon.com. A book may be listed
under several categories, such as computing, programming languages,
bestsellers, and recommended titles.
8. Studying at College:
If you are at college, there will be a database system containing
information about the courses you are enrolled in, course fee, and
details of all your examination results. There may also be a database
containing details of the staff working at the college.
Q. Write a short note on Traditional File-Based Systems.

Traditional File-Based Systems:

 File based systems was an early attempt to computerize the
manual filing system.
 A file system is a method for storing and organizing computer files

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.

Examples for File processing systems:

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

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

1. Separation and Isolation of Data:

 To make a decision, a user need data from two or more separate files.
 First, the files were checked to determine the specific data
required from each file and the relationships between the data.
 Then applications could be written in a programming language to
process and extract the needed data.

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.