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02                                       DATABASE


                                                                                          MANAGEMENT


                                                                                                    SYSTEM










                          Your Aim

                          to learn about:

                             l  Concept of a Database         l  Advantages of a Database System
                              l  Types of Databases             l  Structure of a Database




                 Data is a collection of characters and symbols that has no meaning. It is also called raw data. This
                 data can be converted into meaningful information after analysing and processing. For example,
                 the data "David VIII is student a class of" has no meaning. But, if we write it as "David is a
                 student of class VIII", it makes sense. In computer, data can be stored in a structured way with
                 the help of database.

                 Earlier, paper-based system was used to store data. But this system had various drawbacks such
                 as prone to damage, difficult to edit, data repetition and difficult to manage. Retrieving data from
                 file-based systems was a very tedious and time-consuming task. To overcome the problems of
                 file-based system, computerised database system was introduced in 1960s.

                     CONCEPT OF A DATABASE

                 A database can be defined as a collection of data in an organised manner that can be easily

                 accessed, managed and updated. It helps to store and retrieve a large amount of data efficiently.
                 The concept of database  is one of the oldest ways to maintain records  in a conventional
                 file-oriented data collection systems. One of the best examples of a database is the attendance
                 register of your class in which your teacher maintains attendance record of every month. Another

                 example of a database is the train reservation system in which all the information about trains
                 and passengers is stored.
                 Computerised data collection and manipulation systems have replaced the conventional record
                 keeping systems by using application programs. The various components of the computerised

                 database system have a logical relationship that helps in accessing data easily.
                 A collection of programs required to store and retrieve data from a database is called Database
                 Management System (DBMS).





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