In this article you will know about advantages and disadvantages of DBMS.
Database management system is an efficient way to create, manage and update databases and also is a prolific replacement of the old file systems which were earlier used to store and retrieve records. The DBMS facilitates the users to work with large amount of databases with much ease and efficiency but it is very important to know the advantages and disadvantages of the same before we start working with it. So, let have a look on it.
Also Read: Difference between File System and DBMS
Advantages of DBMS
1. Data Abstraction
This is one of the most required characteristics of any software system and DBMS works quite efficiently in this field too. It hides the unnecessary details from the end user and just shows what is useful to him for completion of his task. Thus, it also reduces the overhead of hidden complexities and makes it an easy system to work with.
2. Data Redundancy Control
Database Management System also removes the redundancy in the record system efficiently by using the ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation and Durability) and normalization properties.
3. Minimization of Data Inconsistency
Since the Database Management System reduces the redundancy of the system it also easily makes the system consistent by removing all the inconsistencies.
4. Ease in Data Manipulation
The DBMS uses database manipulative languages such as SQL with commands like SELECT (used for selection of records from one or more tables), INSERT (for insertion of a record into tables), UPDATE (updates the existing information of records) and DELETE (for removing one or more records from a table) to manipulate the information of the database so that it is always easily updated.
5. Data Security
The Database Management System, unlike the former file system comes with a secured login password (separate for admin and the user), through which the user and admin (also for changes) access can be secured up to a large extent.
6. Concurrent Access of Database
Multiple users can access the same database and thus data sharing is made possible easily. Users don’t have to worry about being only at a particular place for using the database; they may use it according to their ease and as per the basic software and hardware requirements of the database.
7. Improved Data Access
The data is stored in a sorted manner which makes the data access very efficient and easy. The user can directly retrieve what he wants to without bothering about the excess and redundant records other than what is required by him. This also saves a lot of time.
8. Data Independence
The data stored in a particular database is totally independent of any other data. We can look for the data of our choice without considering any other data.
Disadvantages of DBMS
1. Increased Cost
In order to have a Database Management System, we need to have a high speed processor along with a large memory size which requires an expensive hardware and hence correspondingly expensive software too.
Also, in order to convert our data into a Database Management System we need to spend a lot which adds on to the cost of the Database Management System.
In order to work with a Database Management System we also require a trained and educated staff and this also requires a good amount.
So, Database Management System results in a costlier system altogether.
2. Management Complexity
Once you have equipped Database Management System it is not a child’s game to manage the same. You need to have good staff with management capabilities; at times it becomes quite complicated to decide from where to pick data and where to save that data.
3. Maintenance Cost
Database Management System also calls for a high maintenance cost which includes the cost to maintain the Database Management System once it is made.
4. Frequency Upgrade/Replacement Cycle
There need to be frequent upgrades and changes in the Database Management System in order to stay up-to-date and in accordance with the latest technological trends and developments in the markets. Sometimes these changes and updating are so fast that the users don’t feel easy working with the systems and even the admin may find it a bit difficult to keep up with the system’s changes (learning new commands and understanding them every time a new update is made).
DBMS is a wide area and before working in this field it is very important how it can be useful to us as per our needs. The above points give a great idea around that prospect.