MCS354 Introduction to Database Systems
Title:
Database Systems: A practical Approach
to Design, Implementation and
Management
Author:
Thomas Connolly and Carolyn Begg
ISBN: 9780132943260
Instructor: Mohammad Mezaael,
PhD
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Chapter 1
Introduction to Databases
Chapter 1 – Objectives
• Some common uses of database systems.
• Characteristics of file-based systems.
• Problems with file-based approach.
• Meaning of the term database.
• Meaning of the term Database Management System
(DBMS).
• Typical functions of a DBMS.
• Major components of the DBMS environment.
• Personnel involved in the DBMS environment.
• History of the development of DBMSs.
• Advantages and disadvantages of DBMSs.
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Examples of Database Applications
• Purchases from the supermarket
• Purchases using your credit card
• Booking a holiday at the travel agents
• Using the local library
• Taking out insurance
• Renting a video
• Using the Internet
• Studying at university
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File-Based Systems
• Collection of application programs that perform
services for the end users (e.g. reports).
• Each program defines and manages its own data.
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File-Based Processing
Limitations of File-Based Approach
• Separation and isolation of data
• Each program maintains its own set of data.
• Users of one program may be unaware of
potentially useful data held by other programs.
• Duplication of data
• Same data is held by different programs.
• Wasted space and potentially different values
and/or different formats for the same item.
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Limitations of File-Based Approach
• Data dependence
• File structure is defined in the program code.
• Incompatible file formats
• Programs are written in different languages, and so cannot
easily access each other’s files.
• Fixed Queries/Proliferation of application programs
• Programs are written to satisfy particular functions.
• Any new requirement needs a new program.
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Database Approach
• Arose because:
• Definition of data was embedded in application programs,
rather than being stored separately and independently.
• No control over access and manipulation of data beyond that
imposed by application programs.
• Result:
• the database and Database Management System (DBMS).
Database
Database Management System (DBMS)
• A software system that enables users to define, create,
maintain, and control access to the database.
• (Database) application program: a computer program
that interacts with database by issuing an appropriate
request (SQL statement) to the DBMS.
Database Management System (DBMS)
Database Approach
• Data definition language (DDL).
• Permits specification of data types, structures and any data
constraints.
• All specifications are stored in the database.
• Data manipulation language (DML).
• General enquiry facility (query language) of the data.
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Database Approach
• Controlled access to database may include:
• a security system
• an integrity system
• a concurrency control system
• a recovery control system
• a user-accessible catalog.
Views
• Allows each user to have his or her own view of the
database.
• A view is essentially some subset of the database.
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Views - Benefits
• Reduce complexity
• Provide a level of security
• Provide a mechanism to customize the appearance of
the database
• Present a consistent, unchanging picture of the
structure of the database, even if the underlying
database is changed
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Components of DBMS Environment
Components of DBMS Environment
• Hardware
• Can range from a PC to a network of
computers.
• Software
• DBMS, operating system, network software (if
necessary) and also the application programs.
• Data
• Used by the organization and a description of this data called
the schema.
Components of DBMS Environment
• Procedures
• Instructions and rules that should be applied to
the design and use of the database and DBMS.
• People
Roles in the Database Environment
• Data Administrator (DA)
• Database Administrator (DBA)
• Database Designers (Logical and Physical)
• Application Programmers
• End Users (naive and sophisticated)
History of Database Systems
• First-generation
• Hierarchical and Network
• Second generation
• Relational
• Third generation
• Object-Relational
• Object-Oriented
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Advantages of DBMSs
• Control of data redundancy
• Data consistency
• More information from the same amount of data
• Sharing of data
• Improved data integrity
• Improved security
• Enforcement of standards
• Economy of scale
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Advantages of DBMSs
• Balance conflicting requirements
• Improved data accessibility and responsiveness
• Increased productivity
• Improved maintenance through data independence
• Increased concurrency
• Improved backup and recovery services
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Disadvantages of DBMSs
• Complexity
• Size
• Cost of DBMS
• Additional hardware costs
• Cost of conversion
• Performance
• Higher impact of a failure
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