Name: CHIN KAH POH

Matric: 179515

20 Sept 2017

Topic 1: Basic concepts

Class Activity

Listen to the following video lecture of fundamental concepts of database management system. Based
on the lecture, discuss and answer the following questions based on your understanding. Copy and
paste is NOT allowed. However, you are allowed to use the same diagram in the video or any diagrams
taken from internet with a proper citation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u2zsJOJ_GE

1. Identify one application that requires database technology that has not been explained in the
lecture and discuss in detail.

Library Management System

DBMS system are used to maintain and manage all the information like boo k issue datas,
book name, author and availability of book since thousands of books are available in
library and it is very difficult to keep record of all the books in copy or register

2. Identify and list important definitions related to database system.

Database is a collection of related data, collection of information that exist. Database

represent some aspect of the real world, sometimes called a miniworld or the universe of
discourse (UoD).
Database Management System (DBMS) is a powerful tool for creating and managing large
amount of data efficiently and allowing it to persist over long period of time
A database system usually consists of combination of a DBMS and a database

3. Discuss in detail the differences between file-based and database approach. What are the
limitations of file-based approach.

File based system Database System

File based system may cause the data to be Database system has consistent data, the data
duplicated in different files, data redundancy appeared only once
may happen
 The data is distributed in different files and they
cannot be shared
File based system does not provide data
atomicity functionality.
File based system is a less complex system
The cost of file based system is much more
cheaper
The data is stored at one place and they can be
share easily
Database system provides data atomicity
functionality.
Database system is a more complex system
The cost of database system is much more
expensive

The limitations of file-based approach are data redundancy. The data may be duplicated in different files
and this cause valuable storage space are wasted. To update specific data/record, the same data must be
update in all files otherwise different file may have different information about a specific item.

Data redundancy may lead to data inconsistency. Data inconsistency mean that different files may contain
different information of a object or person.

4. Discuss the element of database system in terms of the following:

a. Data model
b. Schema and instance
c. Three level architecture of DBMS
d. Database languages

a. Data Model Collection of concepts which are used to define the database structure e.g.
data types, relationships, constraints
There are three types of data model which are conceptual data model, implementation data
model, physical data model
b. Schema known as the organization of data as a blueprint of how database is constructed,
not expected to change too frequently
Instance a set of memory structures that manage database files
 1. Physical Level physical storage structure of data in database, known as internal level.
In this level, it is further categorized into 2 levels. At lowest level, data is stored in the form
of bits with physical address on the secondary storage device. At highest level, it can be
viewed in the form of files.
2. Conceptual level Structure of whole database for a group or users, called as data
model. It is also the representation of entire content of the database. In this level, the
information to build relevant external records can be found.
3. External level It is related with the data which is viewed by individual end users. This
level consists of no of user views or external schemas. This level is closest to user.

d. Database languages are used for read, update and store data in a database. There are several such
languages that can be used for this purpose; one of them is SQL (Structured Query Language).

5. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of DBMS

Advantages Disadvantages
Able to control data redundancy. In DBMS, all the High cost of hardware and software
data of an organization is integrated into a single
database. The data is recorded at only one place
in the database and it is not duplicated.
Data consistency can be achieved when data High cost in data conversion
redundancy in controlled. If the DBMS has
reduced redundancy to a minimum level, the
database system enforces consistency. It means
that when a data item appears more than once in
the database and is updated, the DBMS
automatically updates each occurrence of a data
item in the database.
Data sharing can be achieved. In DBMS, data can Higher impact of a failure.
be shared by authorized users of the organization.
Data integration can be obtained. In DBMS, data
in database is stored in tables and this makes data Frequent upgrade/replacement cycles:
is easy to be updated and retrieved.