Databases and

Database
Management
Systems
Summary

 Introduction
 Example of a University Database
 Characteristics of Database Approach
 Database Users
 Advantages of DBMS Approach
 When Not to Use a DBMS
Introduction

 Data
 Known facts that can be recorded and have an implicit meaning.
 Database
 A collection of related data.
 Mini-world
 Also known as Universe of Discourse (UoD)
 Some part of the real world about which data is stored in a database.
For example, student grades and transcripts at a university.
Introduction

 Database Management System (DBMS)

 A software package/ system to facilitate the creation and
maintenance of a computerized database.
 Database System
 The DBMS software together with the data itself. Sometimes, the
applications are also included.
Database System Environment
Example

 Mini-world for the example

 Part of a UNIVERSITY environment
 Mini-world entities
 STUDENTs
 COURSEs
 SECTIONs (of COURSEs)
 DEPARTMENTs (academic)
 INSTRUCTORs
Example

 Mini-world relationships
 SECTIONs are of specific COURSEs
 STUDENTs take SECTIONs
 COURSEs have prerequisite COURSEs
 INSTRUCTORs teach SECTIONs
 COURSEs are offered by DEPARTMENTs
 STUDENTs major in DEPARTMENTs
Characteristics of Database
Approach
 Self-Describing Nature of a Database System
 Database system stores both database and description of the
database.
 A DBMS catalog stores the description of the database.
 For example, structure of each file, the type and storage format of each
data item, and various constraints on the data.
 The description is called meta-data.
 This allows the DBMS software to work with different databases.
Characteristics of Database
Approach
 Insulation between Programs and Data
 Also called program-data independence .
 Allows changing data storage structures and operations without having
to change the DBMS access programs.
 Data Abstraction
 A data model is used to hide storage details and present the users with
a conceptual view of the database.
Characteristics of Database
Approach
 Support of Multiple Views of Data
 Each user may see a different view of the database
 Showing only the data of interest to each user.

 Sharing of Data and Multiuser Transaction Processing

 Multiuser DBMS allows multiple users to access the database at the
same time. It ensures that concurrent transactions operate correctly
and efficiently.
 Transaction: An operation that includes one or more database accesses
such as reading or updating of database records.
Database Users

 Database Administrators
 Chief administrator to oversee and manage database, DBMS and
related software.
 Database Designers
 Responsible for identifying the data to be stored in the database and
for choosing appropriate structures to represent and store this data.
 End Users
 People who require access to the database for querying, updating and
generating reports. E.g. reservation agents for airlines
Advantages of DBMS Approach

 Sharing of Data among Multiple Users

 Restricting Unauthorized Access to Data
 Providing Multiple Interfaces to Different Classes of Users
 Controlling Redundancy in Data Storage
 Representing Complex Relationships among Data
 Providing Backup and Recovery Services
 Potential for Enforcing Standards
 Availability of Up-to-Date Information
 Flexibility to Change Data Structures
 Providing Persistent Storage for Program Objects
 Reduced Application Development Time
When Not to Use a DBMS

 Main Inhibitors (costs) of using a DBMS

 High initial investment and possible need for additional
software/hardware.
 Overhead for providing security, recovery, integrity and concurrency
control.
 When a DBMS may be Unnecessary
 Database and applications are simple, well defined and not expected
to change.
 There are stringent, real-time requirements that may not be met
because of DBMS overhead.
 Access to data by multiple users is not required.
When Not to Use a DBMS

 When no DBMS may suffice

 If the database system is not able to handle the complexity of data
because of modeling limitations.
 CAD tools using drawings and 3D objects
 If the database users need special operations not supported by the
DBMS.