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The Worlds of Database Systems

File Systems and Databases
Prof. Deepak Mohapatra Dept. of Computer Science

Files and Databases

File: A collection of records or documents dealing with one organization, person, area or subject (Rowley)
Manual (paper) files x Computer files
x

Database: A collection of similar records with relationships between the records (Rowley)
x

Bibliographic, statistical, business data, images, etc.

Introducing the Database

Major Database Concepts

Data and information

q q

Data - Raw facts Information - Processed data

x x x x

Data management Database Metadata Database management system (DBMS)

Sales per Employee for Each of ROBCORS Two Divisions

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Figure 1.1

Database Systems
Types of Database Systems
x

1
x

Number of Users
q

Single-user
Desktop database

Multiuser
Workgroup database Enterprise database

Scope
q q q

Desktop Workgroup Enterprise

Database Systems
Types of Database Systems

Location
q q

Centralized Distributed

Use
q q q

Transactional (Production) Decision support Data warehouse

Database
A Database is a collection of stored operational data used by the application systems of some particular enterprise (C.J. Date)
x x x

Paper Databases
q

Still contain a large portion of the worlds knowledge Early batch processing of (primarily) business data

File-Based Data Processing Systems

q

Database Management Systems (DBMS)

Why DBMS?
History
x

x x x x x

50s and 60s all applications were custom built for particular needs File based Many similar/duplicative applications dealing with collections of business data Early DBMS were extensions of programming languages 1970 - E.F. Codd and the Relational Model 1979 - Ashton-Tate and first Microcomputer DBMS

File Based Systems

Application File
Toys Addresses Delivery List
Coal Estimation Just what asked for

Naughty

Nice Toys

From File Systems to DBMS

Problems with file processing systems
x

x x x x

Inconsistent data Inflexibility Limited data sharing Poor enforcement of standards Excessive program maintenance

DBMS Benefits
Minimal data redundancy Consistency of data Integration of data Sharing of data Ease of application development Uniform security, privacy, and integrity controls Data accessibility and responsiveness Data independence Reduced program maintenance

Terms and Concepts

Data independence
x

Physical representation and location of data and the use of that data are separated
q

The application doesnt need to know how or where the database has stored the data, but just how to ask for it Moving a database from one DBMS to another should not have a material effect on application program Recoding, adding fields, etc. in the database should not affect applications

Database Environment

CASE Tools

User Interface

Application Programs

Repository

DBMS

Database

Database Components
DBMS
===============

Design tools

Database

Database contains: Users Data Metadata Indexes Application Metadata

Table Creation Form Creation Query Creation Report Creation Procedural language compiler (4GL) ============= Run time
Form processor Query processor Report Writer Language Run time

Application Programs

User Interface Applications

Types of Database Systems

PC databases Centralized database Client/server databases Distributed databases Database models

PC Databases
E.g.: Access FoxPro Dbase Etc.

Centralized Databases

Central Computer

Client Server Databases

Client

Client

Network Database Server Client

Distributed Databases
Location C Location B

computer

computer

computer Location A

Homogeneous Databases

Distributed Databases
Heterogeneous Or Federated Databases Database Server Client
Remote Comp.

Local Network Comm Server Client

Remote Comp.

Introducing the Database

Importance of DBMS

It helps make data management more efficient and effective. Its query language allows quick answers to ad hoc queries. It provides end users better access to more and better-managed data. It promotes an integrated view of organizations operations -- big picture. It reduces the probability of inconsistent data.

The DBMS Manages the Interaction Between the End User and the Database

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Figure 1.2

Introducing the Database

Why Database Design Is Important?

A well-designed database facilitates data management and becomes a valuable information generator. A poorly designed database is a breeding ground for uncontrolled data redundancies. A poorly designed database generates errors that lead to bad decisions.

Historical Roots
Why Study File Systems?

x x

It provides historical perspective. It teaches lessons to avoid pitfalls of data management. Its simple characteristics facilitate understanding of the design complexity of a database. It provides useful knowledge for converting a file system to a database system.

Contents of the CUSTOMER File

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Figure 1.3

Table 1.1 Basic File Terminology

Data

Raw facts that have little meaning unless they have been organized in some logical manner. The smallest piece of data that can be recognized by the computer is a single character, such as the letter A, the number 5, or some symbol such as; ? > * +. A single character requires one byte of computer storage. A character or group of characters (alphabetic or numeric) that has a specific meaning. A field might define a telephone numbers, a birth date, a customer name, a year-to-date (YTD) sales value, and so on. A logically connected set of one or more fields that describes a person, place, or thing. For example, the fields that comprise a record for a customer named J. D. Rudd might consist of J. D. Rudds name, address, phone number, date of birth, credit limit, unpaid balance, and so on. A collection of related records. For example, a file might contain data about ROBCOR Companys vendors; or, a file might contain the records for the students currently enrolled at Gigantic University.

Field

Record

File

Contents of the AGENT File

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Figure 1.4

A Simple File System

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Figure 1.5