Concept and Features of DBMS

Data is defined as the collection of information and a database is referred to as collection of related data. Databases management systems are designed so that they contain related data, which can be used whenever there is a requirement for such data.

Database Management System can be defined as a software that is used to enter, store, manipulate and retrieve data that is organised in the form of information in the databases.

Database Management System, also known as DBMS, is a software that helps in creation and maintenance of databases.

The overall design of the database is known as the database schema. There are two types of schema in a database namely, physical and logical. The physical schema is concerned with the database design at the physical level and the logical schema is about the database design on a logical level.

Features of a Database Management System

Following are the features of a database management system:

1. Minimum repetition and redundancy: In a database there are high chances of data duplication due to the presence of many users. DBMS resolves this issue by building a repository where all the data are stored and can be accessed by multiple users.

2. Databases of big corporations or companies can only be managed by a database management system. Database management system offers data protection and features like recovery and backup for easy recording and retrieval of data.

3. Enhanced security: Database management systems offer enhanced security by restricting public access. It can only be accessed by a database administrator or the concerned head of the department.

4. Multiple user access: Database is designed in such a way that it can be accessed by multiple users who can work on different sections of the databases at a time without interrupting the flow of work.

5. Provides multiple views of the data: Database management system allows the users to access multiple views of the data present in the database. For e.g an HR personnel can check the database for processing the data of the employee, while at the same time an employee can use the database to access resources related to payslip, attendance, etc.

6. Permanent storage of data: Data stored in a database will remain stored permanently until and unless it is deleted from the system manually. Even in cases of accidental deletion of data, the database system has a robust recovery system which allows recovery of deleted data.

Nature of Database Management System

The following lines describe the nature of the database management system:

1. Data is combined in the database to form operational units, which results in reduction of duplication of data and improves access to all the data in the database.

2. As the database becomes more advanced, it enables addition of data and programs to the system.

Objectives of Database Management System

Database management system has the following objectives:

1. Elimination of redundant data
2. Enabling data access easy for the user
3. Providing a source of mass storage of data
4. Allowing multiple users to access the database at the same time
5. Providing appropriate and quick response to user queries

Functions of Database Management System

Following are the functions of the database management system:

1. Provide a mechanism for storing, organising and retrieving data

2. Reducing redundancy of data

3. Providing facility for preventing unrestricted access to database by means of passwords

4. Creating data and program independence such that one can be changed without changing the other

Types of DBMS

There are four different types of DBMS which are mentioned below

1. Hierarchical database
2. Network Database
3. Relational Database
4. Object Oriented Database

Examples of Database Management System

Following are some of the popular database management systems in use:

1. MySQL
2. Oracle
3. MS-Access
4. SQLite

This concludes our article on the topic of Concept and Features of DBMS, which is an important topic in Accountancy for Commerce students. For more such interesting articles, stay tuned to BYJU’S.