Database Management System (DBMS) is a kind of system software which allows controlling and managing of database where data is stored. It acts as a common interface between the user and the data. Through DBMS, users will be able to access the collection of files that is present in the database.
It is a collection of programs used for managing data and simultaneously it supports different types of users to create, manage, retrieve, update and store information.
Advantages of Database Management System (DBMS)
1. Controls Database Redundancy
It can control data redundancy because it stores all the data in one single database file and that recorded data is placed in the database.
2. Data Sharing
Data can be shared between authorized users of the database in DBMS. All the users have their own right to access the database. Admin has complete access to the database. He has a right to assign users to access the database.
3. Easily Maintenance
It can be easily maintainable due to the centralized nature of the database system.
4. Security
Even though DBMS favours in terms of data accessibility, the same feature could pose security breaches. Any unauthorized persons will be able to access the data without proper security policies. Therefore, it is the responsibility of DBMS to ensure that there is adequate security to the data.
For this many of the database management systems comes with authentication methods such s login username and password. Thus, security can be ensured up to a higher extent.
5. Avoidance of inconsistency
DBMS controls data redundancy and also controls data consistency. Data consistency is nothing but if you want to update data in any files then all the files should not be updated again.
In DBMS, data is stored in a single database so data becomes more consistent in comparison to file processing systems.
6. Reduce Time
It reduces development time and maintenance need.
7. Backup
It provides backup and recovery subsystems which create automatic backup of data from hardware and software failures and restores the data if required.
8. Multiple User Interface:
It provides different types of user interfaces like graphical user interfaces, application program interfaces.
9. Helps for Decision Making
Better organized data and improved data access give us better quality information which helps for making better decisions.
Disadvantages of Database Management System (DBMS)
1. Cost of Hardware and Software
It requires a high speed of data processor and large memory size to run DBMS software.
2. Size
It occupies a large space of disks and large memory to run them efficiently. The functionality of DBMS makes use of a large piece of software which occupies megabytes of disk space
3. Complexity
The provision of the functionality that is expected of a good DBMS makes the DBMS an extremely complex piece of software. Database designers, developers, database administrators and end-users must understand this functionality to take full advantage of it.
Failure to understand the system can lead to bad design decisions, which leads to a serious consequence for an organization.
4. Reliability
A database management system is more vulnerable to failure since the complete structure is dependent on the database. Any damages to the database could stop the functioning of all the application programs. Even if one the component starts malfunctioning, that will stop the entire operations.
5. Management
Once the user has implemented the database system, the complications does not stop there. Whatever the changes that occurs in the database system must be managed accordingly. It requires proper management from experienced staffs. The staffs should be well aware of the location where the data needs to be located and saved.
6. Maintenance
Apart from management, a database management system must be maintained regularly so that it can make the system current. Only through staying current, the users can acquire the maximum efficiency of a database system. However, that is not a simple task since the maintenance involves significant amount of expenses.
7. Higher impact of failure
Failure is highly impacted the database because in most of the organization, all the data stored in a single database and if the database is damaged due to electric failure or database corruption then the data may be lost forever.