Data, database, database management system, and relational database modeling

A database is a collection of information in a computer system that has been organized to facilitate access, retrieval, updates, and management. The computer system organizes data in the form of tables, reports, schemes, queries, and reports. As more information is gathered using the database management system, the collected data can be added, changed, or deleted. The primary distinction between the file system and the database is that data in the file system is kept in files, therefore data search and retrieval must be done physically, while in database data is contained in one collection hence data search and retrieval is through physical and logic access through the database management system (Fitzgerald, 2006). Database management system (DBMS) is system software for creating and managing large amounts of data (databases), by enabling users to access, obtain, update and manage the data. In other words, DBMS is the interface that connects the user and application programs to the database. It is achieves the role by managing the data, the database engine as well as the database schema. DBMS is significant as it enhances data security, data integrity, and data concurrency. It further facilitates data recovery, data changes and change management, which guarantees the organization of safety of its data and ability to update the existing data when its obtained.

Advantages of a DBMS

It offers adequate data storage and management hence fostering data independence, data integrity, allowing multiple usage and application of the same data, facilitating restarting and data recovery and allows logging and auditing of the activity. DBMS is an important tool as it reduces cost of processing large as it provides access to economies of scale by optimizing the operations. Processing of large amount is cheaper as compared to processing of smaller amounts. It facilitates easy modification of data upon changes in business operation through its unique characteristic of allowing accessibility of data by multiple users. DBMS fosters expansion or addition of new data categories without interference of the system in place.

Advantages of Relational Data Base Management System (RDBMS)

A RDBMS is software consisting of software applications that offers easy accessibility of relational database by users. Relational database stores data in tabular format which is arranged in columns and rows. Each row holds one record. One of the advantage is availability of a user friendly database structure facilitates by the simplicity of the table format. It also offers accessibility of data to multiple users simultaneously. The function is facilitated by the locking and transactions management software that ensure no collision between the users of data accessing data simultaneously (Ray & Ray, 2000). It has a privilege and an authorization feature that allows for data accessibility restriction to unauthorized users and offers authority to authorized users to view the data. The maintance cost is low due to availability of tools of easy maintance, repair and testing. Data security is enhanced by the tables used in storing data. The structure Query language enables solving of complex queries.

Disadvantages

RDBMS has a high associated cost of execution. The set up requires purchase and installation of special software which may also require hiring of a software expert. Large addition of data is restricted due to the character limits in some of the fields in the table. Numerous updating and addition of data may pose a confusion problem to the users.

Advantages of Object Database Management System (ODBMS)

ODBMS incorporates programming features to the database objects. It is more convenient and faster in handling complex interrelationships and network structures as compared with RDBMS. It reduces programming time and ensures quick storage and retrieval of stored database objects, hence facilitating efficient operation of web development services (Dare, 2001). ODBMS ensures persistence by offering lasting solutions as only domain behavior is required by the developed objects.

Disadvantages

It is complex program and non-user friendly, hence requires assistance of a programmer which may be costly. ODBMS is faced with challenges of scalability issues due to its inability to support large-scale systems. The software is risky for use in an organization as it does not provide security to the stored data. It interferes with system performance by locking at object level.

Factors to Consider in Choosing a Database and a DBMS

One of the important factors to consider is usability and accessibility, as it should user friendly by all the organization staffs that will be using it. Both the Database and DBMS should guarantee security of organization from hacking or unauthorized access. Also, both systems should be easy to integrate with other software systems being used by the organization. Incompatibility of the system with other system may result in withdrawal of other existing system resulting in efficiency. Consider the scalability of the both systems that is the ability to store and process large amount of data. Finally, the DBMS should suit the organization functions to avoid incurring losses when the system is inbuilt and is not advanced enough to meet intended purposes (Philip, 1999).

Roles of a Database and DBMS in an Organization’s Information System

Both systems enhance data sharing by users by offering an enabling environment for users to access managed data. There is a better data integration boosted by large access to well managed data by the Database and DBMS, hence giving a clear view of the big picture of the organization and its operations. Data consistency is achieved through storage and management of data in a single docket. Database and DBMS perform the role of ensuring improved data access through its query system that provides quick answers to requests made. Finally, both systems enhance data security through their special features of authorization of only permitted users of the data.

Part B

Features and characteristics of Oracle Database Management System

It has an active session history which facilitates collection of viewed data for monitoring. The feature is useful it ensures data protection from manipulation hence guaranteeing consistency. Oracle DMS has a data pump utilities which facilitates exchange of data and metadata between the databases. It also has a unique feature of SQL loader utilities that stimulates high speed in data loading. The Data resource manager (DRM) manages and controls usage of computing resources. Also, has a flashback technology feature to foster recovery of data and reconstruction, hence preventing data loss. The program is equipped with Oracle managed files (OMF) to foster automatic creation, naming, and withdrawal of data files contained in the operating-system level. It has an automatic storage management (ASM) distributes data to all functional disks ensuring uniformity of performance. The presence of Real Application testing assists in testing out changes between the available data workload and against real-world workload (Ray & Ray, 2000). Real application cluster further ensures smooth and uninterrupted data processing by users which prevents undertaking of manual recovery of the system. The feature is significant as it saves on processing time and enhances data consistency.

Features and characteristics of Access Database Management System

Microsoft access is a type of Database management system developed by Microsoft, which incorporates together relational Microsoft jet Database Engine together with the graphical user interface as well as other software-development tools. Access has a more user friendly interface/ feature known as “tell me” as compared to Oracle and mySQL, hence easy to user by users and requires no monitoring by the administrator (Lang, 2000). The feature assists users in creating and managing databases and to perform the task easier and fast. It is the most efficient than Oracle and mySQL when the need for database is low.

Microsoft Access ensures data flexibility facilitates by its capability to store different data sets in tables. It has a high data interface with other programs as its able to import and export data to various applications in the system. Access provides ready templates for users to create and manage databases which fosters time saving in creating the templates and inputting data which may otherwise be time consuming (Dare, 2001). Also, it has a visual basic for applications (VBA) code which helps in developing customs solutions that best suits their databases. It has Jet Database format which combines together the application and data in a single file. Microsoft access avails users with parameterized queries with capability of being referenced from other programs. The program is also compatible with structure query language therefore provide users with adequate options of manipulating access tables.

Features and characteristics of mySQL

MySQL is an open source relational database system which is much easier, fast and realiable as compared to Access and Oracle. It is a client/server system hence enabling communication through the internet as the user can use the same computer simultaneously with the server. MySQL performs geographical system functions by enabling the processing and storage of data contained in different geographical dimensions. The function is facilitated by the configuration of GIS application into the system. MySQL can run through various programming languages compatible with Microsoft windows as it supports the ODBC interface connector (Philip, 1999). It has platform independence as it can run under various operating systems such as Microsoft windows, Linux, and Apple Macintosh OS X. it is the fastest database program as compared with Access and Oracle it’s backed up with numerous benchmark tests. The program has a unique that ensures provision of both transactional and non-transactional storage engines, which fosters transactions recovery in case of roll back and crash recovery. It has a high performance supported by its storage engine architecture. It is also very flexible as it facilitates large number of applications to run which guarantees consistency. MySQL has a performance schema which derives data that relate to query performance. The data collected is used to monitor the execution to enhance data security and improve system performance. It has multiple storage engines which allows to obtain the one that best suites the table in the application. MySQL has embedded database library, Unicode support, SSL support, and allows for Query caching.

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Philip G. (1999). Data Modelling: A Guide to Web Publishing. Morgan Kaufmann; 1st edition

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