Database Management Basics
Database management is a system for managing the data that supports a business’s operations. It involves storing data and distribution to application programs and users, modifying it as necessary as well as monitoring changes to the data and preventing it from becoming damaged by unexpected failures. It is an element of a company’s total informational infrastructure which aids in decision making, corporate growth and compliance with laws such as the GDPR and the California Consumer Privacy Act.
The first database systems were developed in the 1960s by Charles Bachman, IBM and others. They evolved into information management systems (IMS) which allowed huge amounts of data to be stored and retrieved for a variety of reasons. From calculating inventory, to aiding complex financial accounting functions and human resource functions.
A database is a set of tables that arrange data in accordance with a specific pattern, such as one-to-many relationships. It makes use of primary keys to identify records and allows cross-references between tables. Each table has a collection of fields, referred to as attributes, that represent facts about data entities. The most well-known type of database currently is a relational model, developed by E. F. “Ted” Codd at IBM in the 1970s. The design is based on normalizing the data, making it simpler to use. It is also easier to update data because it does not require changing several databases.
Most DBMSs can accommodate different types of databases by offering different levels of internal and external organization. The internal level is focused on the cost, scalability, and other operational issues, like the physical layout of the database. The external level is the representation of the database in user interfaces and applications. It may include a mix of different external views that are based on different data models and may also include virtual tables that are computed using generic data to enhance the performance.