Characteristics of the Database Approach

 Characteristics of the Database Approach

Before the database systems were introduced,all the data were organised in file-processing system or file-based system.It gave rise to various problems which were solved with the introduction of database systems.So,the advantages of database system over file-based system or file-processing system are:

• Controlled Data Redundancy:Data redundancy is a condition created within a database or data storage technology in which the same piece if data is held in two separate places .In DBMS,all data of an organisation is integrated into a single database file.The data is recorded in only one place in the database and it is not duplicated.
• Data Consistency:By controlling the data redundancy,the data consistency is obtained.If a data item appears only once,any update to its value has to be performed only once and the updated value is immediately available to all users.So,as the DBMS has controlled redundancy,hence it enforces data consistency.
• Easy Retrieval of data:As the data stored in a database system are tabular and interrelated ,so,it is easy to retrieve any information from the database.
• Limited Data Isolation:As the data stored in a database system are consistent and non-redundant,hence data isolation is limited.
• Multiple Users or Concurrent Access-function:In a database system,multiple users may work with the same database simultaneously.In this system,the user giving the first request gets the priority liable of the second.
• Data Security:As the data is centrally stored,it is easy to enforce security standard.It is easy to monitor the users who are accessing the database.Further the Database Administrator (DBA) controls which users have access to what type of information.
• Faster Processing:As the data are stored in interrelated tables in a database system,so the retrieval of the information becomes easier as compared to the file-based system or file-processing system.
• Data independence:The separation of data structure of database from the application program that uses the data is called data independence.In DBMS,you can easily change the structure of database without modifying the application program.

There are many other advantages like Data Abstraction,Insulation between programs and data,Backup and Recovery procedures etc.