What is the advantage of using a database approach from the file based system?

For example, an organisation may have an electronic record of all of their customer data such as name, address, phone number, credit card number, and buying history. This information needs to be managed for a variety of purposes, for example, to send out invoices or catalogues, or log purchases and incentive program points. Such processes require special software (database management systems). Data administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of database management systems and for long range planning regarding system design and operation.

Specific duties and responsibilities vary depending on the size and type of employer. In very large organizations, data administrators may have specialized responsibilities and work in teams. In other organizations, one data administrator may be responsible for all aspects of data

Advantage and Disadvantages of File-oriented system are given below

Advantage of File-oriented system:

1. Backup:

It is possible to take faster and automatic back-up of database stored in files of computer-based systems.
computer systems provide functionalities to serve this purpose.it is also possible to develop specific application program for this purpose.

2. Compactness:

It is possible to store data compactly.

3. Data Retrieval:

Computer-based systems provide enhanced data retrieval techniques to retrieve data stored in files in easy and efficient way.

4. Editing:

It is easy to edit any information stored in computers in form of files.
Specific application programs or editing software can be used for this purpose.

5. Remote Access:

In computer-based systems,it is possible to access data remotely.
so,to access data it is not necessary for a user to remain present at location where these data are kept.

Data stored in files of computer-based systems ca be shared among multiple users at a same time.

Disadvantage of File-oriented system:

1. Data Redundancy:

It is possible that the same information may be duplicated in different files.this leads to data redundancy results in memory wastage.

2. Data Inconsistency:

Because of data redundancy,it is possible that data may not be in consistent state.

3. Difficulty in Accessing Data:

Accessing data is not convenient and efficient in file processing system.

Data are scattered in various files.also different files may have different formats and these files may be stored in different folders may be of different departments.
So, due to this data isolation, it is difficult to share data among different applications.

5. Integrity Problems:

Data integrity means that the data contained in the database in both correct and consistent.for this purpose the data stored in database must satisfy correct and constraints.

6. Atomicity Problems:

Any operation on database must be atomic.
this means, it must happen in its entirely or not at all.

7. Concurrent Access Anomalies:

Multiple users are allowed to access data simultaneously.this is for the sake of better performance and faster response.

8. Security Problems:

Database should be accessible to users in limited way.
Each user should be allowed to access data concerning his requirements only.

A Database Management System (DBMS) is defined as the software system that allows users to define, create, maintain and control access to the database. DBMS makes it possible for end users to create, read, update and delete data in database. It is a layer between programs and data.

Compared to the File Based Data Management System, Database Management System has many advantages. Some of these advantages are given below −

Reducing Data Redundancy

The file based data management systems contained multiple files that were stored in many different locations in a system or even across multiple systems. Because of this, there were sometimes multiple copies of the same file which lead to data redundancy.

This is prevented in a database as there is a single database and any change in it is reflected immediately. Because of this, there is no chance of encountering duplicate data.

In a database, the users of the database can share the data among themselves. There are various levels of authorisation to access the data, and consequently the data can only be shared based on the correct authorisation protocols being followed.

Many remote users can also access the database simultaneously and share the data between themselves.

Data Integrity

Data integrity means that the data is accurate and consistent in the database. Data Integrity is very important as there are multiple databases in a DBMS. All of these databases contain data that is visible to multiple users. So it is necessary to ensure that the data is correct and consistent in all the databases and for all the users.

Data Security

Data Security is vital concept in a database. Only authorised users should be allowed to access the database and their identity should be authenticated using a username and password. Unauthorised users should not be allowed to access the database under any circumstances as it violates the integrity constraints.

Privacy

The privacy rule in a database means only the authorized users can access a database according to its privacy constraints. There are levels of database access and a user can only view the data he is allowed to. For example - In social networking sites, access constraints are different for different accounts a user may want to access.

Backup and Recovery

Database Management System automatically takes care of backup and recovery. The users don't need to backup data periodically because this is taken care of by the DBMS. Moreover, it also restores the database after a crash or system failure to its previous condition.

Data Consistency

Data consistency is ensured in a database because there is no data redundancy. All data appears consistently across the database and the data is same for all the users viewing the database. Moreover, any changes made to the database are immediately reflected to all the users and there is no data inconsistency.

What are the advantages of database system compare with the file based system?

DBMS provides data independence. File systems allow only one user to access data at a time. Data can be accessed simultaneously by multiple users in a DBMS. A file system provides less security than a database management system.

What are the advantages of DBMS on file system?

DBMS stores the data in the form of interrelated tables and files. This reduces the redundancy of data as the data here is centralized(you can read more about the characteristics of DBMS from here ). Also, access to data is very fast when we use DBMS.

What are some of the advantages of the database approach compared to the shared file approach of storing data?

The database approach is an improvement on the shared file solution as the use of a database management system (DBMS) provides facilities for querying, data security and integrity, and allows simultaneous access to data by a number of different users.