Database Management Systems

1. A database management system (DBMS), or simply a database system (DBS), consists of
   • A collection of interrelated and persistent data (usually referred to as the database (DB)).
   • A set of application programs used to access, update and manage that data (which form the data management system (MS)).
2. The goal of a DBMS is to provide an environment that is both convenient and efficient to use in
   • Retrieving information from the database.
   • Storing information into the database.
3. Databases are usually designed to manage large bodies of information. This involves
   • Definition of structures for information storage (data modeling).
   • Provision of mechanisms for the manipulation of information (file and systems structure, query processing).

   • Providing for the safety of information in the database (crash recovery and security).
   • Concurrency control if the system is shared by users.