Overview
This lecture compares traditional file systems with database management systems (DBMS), explaining the drawbacks of file systems and the advantages of DBMS in managing large and complex data.
File System Basics
- A file system is managed by the operating system to organize data into drives, folders, and files.
- File systems allow users to store and access small amounts of data easily without needing extra software.
- Data in a file system is stored as raw, unstructured data without predefined data types or schemas.
DBMS Basics
- A Database Management System (DBMS) is specialized software (e.g., MySQL, SQL Server) for managing large, structured data sets using tables and relationships.
- Data in DBMS is organized using structured tables, defined data types, and relationships.
- DBMS uses Structured Query Language (SQL) for efficient data manipulation and querying.
Key Differences: File System vs. DBMS
- File systems store unstructured data, making searching, formatting, and consistency challenging.
- DBMS stores structured data, making data access, querying, and consistency much easier.
- In file systems, access requires knowing the exact file location; in DBMS, users can access data without knowing storage details.
- File systems require full file access for small queries, while DBMS can retrieve only the necessary data.
- File systems need compiled programs for each query, but DBMS allows flexible, on-the-fly queries using SQL.
Drawbacks of File Systems / Advantages of DBMS
- Data redundancy (duplication) is common in file systems, leading to storage waste.
- Data inconsistency arises in file systems when duplicate data exists in multiple places and only some instances are updated.
- Concurrent data access is problematic in file systems; multiple users risk conflicting changes.
- DBMS supports concurrency protocols (like locking), ensuring safe multi-user access.
- Data integrity constraints (rules) can be enforced in DBMS, but not in file systems.
- Security in file systems is limited to file/folder level; DBMS allows detailed access control.
- Backup and recovery are easier and more reliable in DBMS due to structured data and built-in mechanisms.
Key Terms & Definitions
- File System — A method for storing and organizing computer files and data.
- DBMS (Database Management System) — Software for storing, managing, and retrieving data using defined structures.
- Unstructured Data — Data without a formal model or structure (e.g., text, video, social media).
- Structured Data — Data arranged in predefined formats such as tables and columns.
- Data Redundancy — Duplication of data in multiple places.
- Data Inconsistency — Mismatched or conflicting information due to redundant data not being updated everywhere.
- Concurrency — Simultaneous access of data by multiple users.
- Integrity Constraints — Rules to ensure data validity and consistency.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare for the next lecture on functional dependencies and normalization in DBMS.