Database management system definition
Database management system refers to software that serves as an interface between the database and end-users or application programs. It provides a systematic way to store, retrieve, update, and manage data in a structured manner, ensuring that data is consistently organized and remains easily accessible.
See also: database report, command line interface
Types of database management systems:
- Relational database management system (RDBMS). It uses tables to store data and relationships between them. Examples include MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server.
- NoSQL database management systems. They are designed for unstructured or semi-structured data and includes subcategories like document stores (MongoDB), key-value stores (Redis), column stores (Cassandra), and graph databases (Neo4j).
- Object-oriented database management systems (OODBMS). It stores data in the form of objects, as used in object-oriented programming.
- Hierarchical DBMS and Network DBMS. These are older models based on tree structures and flexible network models.
Database management system benefits:
- Data storage. It provides a structured way to store large amounts of data, often using tables or schemas.
- Data retrieval. It allows users or application programs to query the database, retrieve data, and present it in a structured manner.
- Data manipulation. It supports operations such as insertion, deletion, and modification of the stored data.
- Data integrity. It ensures data remains accurate and consistent using constraints, data validation, and integrity checks.
- Security. It provides mechanisms to protect data from unauthorized access or tampering.
