| title | Database management systems vs. file systems? |
|---|---|
| updated | March 14, 2016 |
| permalink | /articles/databases/database-vs-filesystem/ |
| redirect_from | /faq/databases/database-vs-filesystem/ |
- DBMS - A computerized record-keeping system
- File System - A collection of individual files accessed by applications programs.
- Separated and Isolated Data - Makes coordinating, assimilating and representing data difficult
- Data Duplication - Wastes space and can lead to data integrity (inconsistency) problems
- Application Program Dependencies - Changes to a single file can require changes to numerous application programs
- Incompatible Files
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Data Consistency and Integrity - by controlling access and minimizing data duplication
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Application program independence - by storing data in a uniform fashion
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Data Sharing - by controlling access to data items, many users can access data concurrently
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Checkpointing and Recovery
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Security and Privacy
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Multiple views of data
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Expandability, Flexibility, Scalability
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Reduced application development times once the system is in place
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Standards enforcement
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However .....
- Commercial DBMS often have high initial cost
- Many DBMSs have high overhead - require powerful computers
- DBMS are not special purpose software programs
- Performance depends on the application
- Database is small with a simple structure
- Applications are simple, special purpose and relatively static.
- Concurrent, multi-user access to data is not required.
- Need a quick prototype to demonstrate feasibility
- Need an easy way to see the data without having to write a program
- Customers don't want to install a DBMS and want to get online quickly