RDBMS : Introduction of DBMS

A database is a collection of records. One of the major tasks in a computer system is to store and manage data. To handle this task, you need a specialized computer software known as a database management system (DBMS). Database management systems are design to maintain large volumes of data. Management of data involves :

a. Defining structures for data storage
b. Providing mechanism for data manipulation
c. Providing data security against unauthorized access

Database management system are now available on a wide range of computer, from desktops to mainframes. The size and power of the computer determine the system facilities, such as security and storage.

A single-user system allows only one person to access a database at any given time. In a multi-user system, several users can access a database simultaneously.

With the increasing power of desktop computer, multi-user database systems are now available that support a small group of users to connect these desktop computers and access data concurrently. These database systems can be scaled up to support hundreds or thousands of users, depending on the configuration of the hardware on which the database system is running.

The main objectives of any DBMS are to :

a. Provide an efficient and convenient environment that is used to store data in, and retrieve data from a database.
b. Manage information about users who interact with the DBMS and the activities that these users can perform on the data.