DATABASE

DATABASE

Database is structured collection of information on specific subjects. We can think of a database as an electronic filing system.

An example of the database is a telephone book which contains records of names, addresses and contact numbers.

A database allows its contents to be easily accessed, updated, stored and retrieved.

DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (DBMS)

A Database management System is a program that accesses information from a database.

A Database Management System provides an interface between the database and the user.

A Database management System enables you to extract, modify and store information from a database.

Examples of DBMS are Oracle, SQL Server and Microsoft Access.

BENEFITS OF USING DATABASE

Minimises Data Redundancy

Most data item stored in only one file. With a database there is no need to repeat recording the same data. This minimises data redundancy.

For example, a school database would record a student’s name. address and other details only once when the student enrols in the school.

Data Integrity Is Assured

A database ensures that data is correct for all files. When a user modifies data in one of the files in a database, the same data will change automatically in all the files. This is called data integrity.

Data Can Be Shared

A database allows the ease of sharing data. Data can be shared over a network, by a whole organisation.

Information Can Be Accessed Easily

A database makes information access easy.

Everyone can access and manage data in a database.