1. What is database management system?

A database management system (DBMS) is a software package designed to define,

manipulate, retrieve and manage data in a database. A DBMS generally manipulates the data
itself, the data format, field names, record structure and file structure. It also defines rules to
validate and manipulate this data.

Or, DBMS software primarily functions as an interface between the end user and the
database, simultaneously managing the data, the database engine, and the database schema in
order to facilitate the organization and manipulation of data.

2. State advantage and disadvantage of data base management system?

Advantages of Database Management System (DBMS)
1. Improved data sharing

An advantage of the database management approach is, the DBMS helps to create an
environment in which end users have better access to more and better-managed data.Such
access makes it possible for end users to respond quickly to changes in their environment.

2. Improved data security

The more users access the data, the greater the risks of data security breaches. Corporations
invest considerable amounts of time, effort, and money to ensure that corporate data are used
properly. A DBMS provides a framework for better enforcement of data privacy and security
policies.
 
3. Better data integration
Wider access to well-managed data promotes an integrated view of the organization’s
operations and a clearer view of the big picture. It becomes much easier to see how actions in
one segment of the company affect other segments.
4. Minimized data inconsistency

Data inconsistency exists when different versions of the same data appear in different places.

5. Improved data access

The DBMS makes it possible to produce quick answers to ad hoc queries. From a database
perspective, a query is a specific request issued to the DBMS for data manipulation—for
example, to read or update the data. Simply put, a query is a question, and an ad hoc query is
a spur-of-the-moment question. The DBMS sends back an answer (called the query result set)
to the application.

6. Improved decision making

Better-managed data and improved data access make it possible to generate better-quality
information, on which better decisions are based. The quality of the information generated
depends on the quality of the underlying data. Data quality is a comprehensive approach to
promoting the accuracy, validity, and timeliness of the data. While the DBMS does not
guarantee data quality, it provides a framework to facilitate data quality initiatives.
 
7. Increased end-user productivity

The availability of data, combined with the tools that transform data into usable information,
empowers end users to make quick, informed decisions that can make the difference between
success and failure in the global economy.

Disadvantages of Database Management System (DBMS):

Although the database system yields considerable advantages over previous data management
approaches, database systems do carry significant disadvantages. For example:
 
1. Increased costs

One of the disadvantages of dbms is Database systems require sophisticated hardware and
software and highly skilled personnel. The cost of maintaining the hardware, software,
and personnel required to operate and manage a database system can be substantial.
Training, licensing, and regulation compliance costs are often overlooked when database
systems are implemented.
 
2. Management complexity

Database systems interface with many different technologies and have a significant
impact on a company’s resources and culture. The changes introduced by the adoption of
a database system must be properly managed to ensure that they help advance the
company’s objectives. Given the fact that database systems hold crucial company data
that are accessed from multiple sources, security issues must be assessed constantly.

3. Maintaining currency

To maximize the efficiency of the database system, you must keep your system current.
Therefore, you must perform frequent updates and apply the latest patches and security
measures to all components. Because database technology advances rapidly, personnel
training costs tend to be significant.

4. Frequent upgrade/replacement cycles

DBMS vendors frequently upgrade their products by adding new functionality. Such new
features often come bundled in new upgrade versions of the software. Some of these
versions require hardware upgrades. Not only do the upgrades themselves cost money,
but it also costs money to train database users and administrators to properly use and
manage the new features.

3. Write down the difference between DBMS and file system?

 DBMS is very expensive but, the traditional file system is cheap.
 DBMS is good for the large system but, the traditional file system is good for a small system
having a small number of items.
 DBMS required lots of effort for designing but, the traditional file system is very low design
efforts.
 DBMS is highly secured but, the traditional file system is not secure.
 DBMS is data sharable but, the traditional file system is isolated data sharable.
 DBMS is flexible but, the traditional file system has a lack of flexibility and has many
limitations.
 DBMS has no integrity but, the traditional file system has an integrity problem.
 DBMS has a complex backup system but, the traditional file system has a simple backup
system. DBMS have complex backup system but, traditional file system has simple backup
system.

4. What are the disadvantages of file processing system?

Disadvantage of File-oriented system:
1. Data Redundancy:

It is possible that the same information may be duplicated in different files.this leads to data
redundancy results in memory wastage.

2. Data Inconsistency:

Because of data redundancy,it is possible that data may not be in consistent state.

3. Difficulty in Accessing Data:

Accessing data is not convenient and efficient in file processing system.

4. Limited Data Sharing:

Data are scattered in various files, also different files may have different formats and these
files may be stored in different folders may be of different departments. So, due to this data
isolation, it is difficult to share data among different applications.

5. Integrity Problems:

Data integrity means that the data contained in the database in both correct and consistent. For
this purpose the data stored in database must satisfy correct and constraints.

6. Atomicity Problems:

Any operation on database must be atomic. This means, it must happen in its entirely or not at
all.

7. Concurrent Access Anomalies:

Multiple users are allowed to access data simultaneously.this is for the sake of better
performance and faster response.

5. Define RDBMS. Write down its properties.

A relational database management system (RDBMS) is a collection of programs and

capabilities that enable IT teams and others to create, update, administer and otherwise
interact with a relational database. RDBMSes store data in the form of tables, with most
commercial relational database management systems using  structured query language (SQL)
to access the database.
 Relational databases have the following properties:
 Values are atomic.
 All of the values in a column have the same data type.
 Each row is unique.
 The sequence of columns is insignificant.
 The sequence of rows is insignificant.
 Each column has a unique name.
 Integrity constraints maintain data consistency across multiple tables.
Parameter DBMS RDBMS
Storage DBMS stores data as a file. Data is stored in the form of tables.
Number of
DBMS supports single user only. It supports multiple users.
Users
Hardware and
Low software and hardware needs. Higher hardware and software need.
software needs.
DBMS does not support client-server
Client Server RDBMS supports client-server architecture.
architecture
Data fetching is slower for the complex Data fetching is rapid because of its relational
Data Fetching
and large amount of data. approach.
Data Data redundancy is common in this
Keys and indexes do not allow Data redundancy.
Redundancy model.
Data Data is stored in the form of tables which are
No relationship between data
Relationship related to each other with the help of foreign keys.
Multiple levels of security. Log files are created at
Security There is no security.
OS, Command, and object level.
Examples of DBMS are a file system, Example of RDBMS is MySQL, Oracle, SQL
Examples
XML, Windows Registry, etc. Server, etc.

6. Write down the different between DBMS and RDBMS. Explain the
three-layer architecture of DBMS.
Difference between DBMS vs RDBMS

Three Level Architecture of Database

The ANSI-SPARC database architecture is the basis of most of the modern databases.
The three levels present in this architecture are Physical level, Conceptual level and External level.

The details of these levels are as follows –

Physical Level:
This is the lowest level in the three level architecture. It is also known as the internal level. The
physical level describes how data is actually stored in the database. In the lowest level, this data is
stored in the external hard drives in the form of bits and at a little high level, it can be said that the
data is stored in files and folders. The physical level also discusses compression and encryption
techniques.

Conceptual Level:
The conceptual level is at a higher level than the physical level. It is also known as the logical level. It
describes how the database appears to the users conceptually and the relationships between various
data tables. The conceptual level does not care for how the data in the database is actually stored.

External Level:
This is the highest level in the three level architecture and closest to the user. It is also known as the
view level. The external level only shows the relevant database content to the users in the form of
views and hides the rest of the data. So, different users can see the database as a different view as per
their individual requirements.
7. Differentiate between physical data independence and logical data
independence.
Difference between Physical and Logical Data Independence

Logical Data Independence Physical Data Independence

Logical Data Independence is Mainly concerned with the storage of the data.
mainly concerned with the
structure or changing the data
definition.

It is difficult as the retrieving of It is easy to retrieve.

data is mainly dependent on the
logical structure of data.

Compared to Logic Physical Compared to Logical Independence it is easy to

independence it is difficult to achieve physical data independence.
achieve logical data
independence.

You need to make changes in the A change in the physical level usually does not need
Application program if new fields change at the Application program level.
are added or deleted from the
database.

Modification at the logical levels Modifications made at the internal levels may or may
is significant whenever the logical not be needed to improve the performance of the
structures of the database are structure.
changed.

Concerned with conceptual Concerned with internal schema

schema

8. Explain the data dictionary and metadata?

Metadata:
Metadata is a collection of information, or data that describes another set of data. In other
words, metadata is "data about data. Meta data is data that defines other data.

Data dictionary:
Data dictionary is a file which consists of the basic definitions of a database. It contains the
list of files that are available in the database, number of records in each file, and the
information about the fields. Data dictionary is a repository to store all information.