DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

INTRODUCTION
A database is a collection of related information stored so that it is available to
many users for different purposes. The content of a database is obtained by
combining data from all the different sources in an organization so that the data is
available to all users and redundant data can be eliminated or at least minimized.
A computer database gives us some electronic filing system which has a large
number of ways of cross-referencing and this allows the user many different ways
in which to reorganize and retrieve data.
A database can handle business inventory, accounting and filing and use the
information in its files to prepare summaries, estimates and other reports. There
can be a database which stores newspaper articles, magazines, books and comics.
There is already a well-defined market for specific information for highly selected
group of users on almost all subjects. MEDLINE is a well-known database service
providing medical information for doctors.
The management of database system is done by means of a general purpose
software package, called a database management system. The database
management system is the major software component of a database system.
Most database management systems have the following facilities/capabilities:
a) Creation of a file, addition to data, deflection of data, modification of data;
creation and deletion of entire files.
b) Retrieving data collectively, or selectively.
c) The data stored can be sorted or indexed at the user’s discretion and direction.
d) Various reports can be produced from the system. These may be either
standardized reports or specifically generated according to specific user
definition.

OBJECTIVES OF A DATABASE:

An organization must have accurate data and information for effective decision
making. All organizations need to collect, store and process data for their
functions. The database is used to store and process data for providing useful
information to the organization.

The database must have the following basic objectives:

1. Centrally Controlled: A database must be centrally controlled. It is possible that
the data of a particular system may be spread in different branches of a company,
but it must be controlled from one central location.

2. Logically Organized: The database must be organized in a logical manner. If the

user wants to see the name of person whose basic salary is greater than 5000 and
is working in EDP Dept., the database must be organized in that logical order so
that the data can be accessed faster.

3. Shared: In a multi-user application, the database is designed such that the data
can be shared or accessed by different users. The sharing of data is possible, only
if the database is integrated.

4. Data independence: The most important objective of a database is the

provision of data independence. Most of the present day applications are
generally data-dependent. It means that the logic of the ‘programming depends
on the organization of the database and hence the storage structure of the data
files. If the storage structure of the data files is to be changed, the program
should also be modified accordingly. However, the database should be designed
such that, if the data storage structure is needed to be changed in future, there
should not be any need to change the program’s logic or coding.