Introduction to Database Management System (DBMS)

What is a Database Management System?

• Definition: A system to store, organize, and manage data in a structured way.
• Need: Early computing required storage solutions; initial file systems lacked structure, making data hard to manage.
• Evolution: Transition from unstructured file systems to DBMS for better data integrity, consistency, and ease of access.

Key Concepts in DBMS

Database

• Definition: A collection of related data.
• Data: Raw facts and figures.
• Information: Processed data that is meaningful.

Database Management System

• Functions:
  • Fast data entry, deletion, and updating.
  • Efficient data retrieval and manipulation.

Structure of a Database

• Table: Known as an entity.
  • Columns: Represent attributes or properties (e.g., student name, address).
  • Rows: Represent records or tuples (e.g., specific student information).
  • Intersection: Represents atomic values (single data points).
• Entity Set: A collection of related tables.

Example

• College Database
  • Tables for student information, fees, attendance, scholarships, etc.
  • Attributes include fields such as name, father’s name, roll number.

Why DBMS?

• Responsibilities:
  • Facilitate operations like insertion, deletion, and update.
  • Provide security against unauthorized access.
  • Maintain data integrity and consistency.
  • Offer backup solutions.
  • Support user interface packages like SQL.

Data Integrity and Consistency

• Integrity: Correctness of data across tables.
• Consistency: Ensuring data remains correct throughout transactions.

Backup

• Purpose: To prevent data loss by keeping copies across locations.
• Methods: Regular or live backup for real-time data safety.

Security

• Access Control: Ensures only authorized users can access or modify data.
• Authentication: Can involve usernames, passwords, or biometrics.

Components of DBMS

• Hardware: Needed to run the system, includes servers and networking devices.
• Software: The actual DBMS application.
• Data: Managed by the DBMS, sourced from various inputs.
• Procedures: Rules and regulations for database design and operation.

Conclusion

• Next Steps: Further exploration of advanced database concepts in future lectures.