1.

Discuss the similarities differences between the traditional file storage approach and
database approach.
Similarities: - DBMS (Database Management System) and File System are two ways that
could be used to manage, store, retrieve and manipulate data. A File System is a collection of
raw data files stored in the hard-drive whereas DBMS is a bundle of applications that is
dedicated for managing data stored in databases. It is the integrated system used for managing
digital databases, which allows the storage of database content, creation/ maintenance of data,
search and other functionalities. Both systems can be used to allow the user to work with data
in a similar way. A File System is one of the earliest ways of managing data. But due the
shortcomings present in using a File System to store electronic data, Database Management
Systems came in to use sometime later, as they provide mechanisms to solve those problems. But
it should be noted that, even in a DBMS, data are eventually (physically) stored in some sort of
files.
Difference between DBMS and File System
Although File System and DBMS are two ways of managing data, DBMS clearly has many
advantages over File Systems. Typically when using a File System, most tasks such as storage,
retrieval and search are done manually and it is quite tedious whereas a DBMS will provide
automated methods to complete these tasks. Because of this reason, using a File System will lead
to problems like data integrity, data inconsistency and data security, but these problems could be
avoided by using a DBMS. Unlike File System, DBMS are efficient because reading line by line
is not required and certain control mechanisms are in place.
To fully show you the differences between the two (DBMS and File System) let me further
explain by comparing them.
Comparison of Traditional File-Based Approach and Database Approach
File-based System: File-based systems were an early attempt to computerize the manual filing
system. File-based system is a collection of application programs that perform services for the
end-users. Each program defines and manages its data.

However, problems are occurred in using the file-based approach:

1.

Separation and isolation of data

When data is isolated in separate files, it is more difficult for us to access data that should be
available. The application programmer is required to synchronize the processing of two or more
files to ensure the correct data is extracted.
2.

Duplication of data

When employing the decentralized file-based approach, the uncontrolled duplication of data is
occurred. Uncontrolled duplication of data is undesirable because:
I.

Duplication is wasteful

ii.

Duplication can lead to loss of data integrity

3.

Data dependence

Using file-based system, the physical structure and storage of the data files and records are
defined in the application program code. This characteristic is known as program-data
dependence. Making changes to an existing structure are rather difficult and will lead to a
modification of program. Such maintenance activities are time-consuming and subject to error.
4.

Incompatible file formats

The structures of the file are dependent on the application programming language. However file
structure provided in one programming language such as direct file, indexed-sequential file
which is available in COBOL programming, may be different from the structure generated by
other programming language such as C. The direct incompatibility makes them difficult to
process jointly.
Database Approach:
In order to overcome the limitations of the file-based approach, the concept of database and the
Database Management System (DBMS) was emerged.
Advantages
A number of advantages of applying database approach in application system are obtained
including:
1.
Control of data redundancy: The database approach attempts to eliminate the
redundancy by integrating the file. Although the database approach does not eliminate
redundancy entirely, it controls the amount of redundancy inherent in the database.

2.

Data consistency

By eliminating or controlling redundancy, the database approach reduces the risk of

inconsistencies occurring. It ensures all copies of the data are kept consistent.
3.

More information from the same amount of data

With the integration of the operated data in the database approach, it may be possible to derive
additional information for the same data.
4.

Sharing of data

Database belongs to the entire organization and can be shared by all authorized users.
5.

Improved data integrity

Database integrity provides the validity and consistency of stored data. Integrity is usually
expressed in terms of constraints, which are consistency rules that the database is not permitted
to violate.
6.

Improved security

Database approach provides a protection of the data from the unauthorized users. It may take the
term of user names and passwords to identify user type and their access right in the operation
including retrieval, insertion, updating and deletion.
7.

Enforcement of standards

The integration of the database enforces the necessary standards including data formats, naming
conventions, documentation standards, update procedures and access rules.
8.

Economy of scale

Cost savings can be obtained by combining all organization's operational data into one database
with applications to work on one source of data.
9.

Balance of conflicting requirements

By having a structural design in the database, the conflicts between users or departments can be
resolved. Decisions will be based on the base use of resources for the organization as a whole
rather that for an individual entity.
10.
Improved data accessibility and responsiveness:By having an integration in the
database approach, data accessing can be crossed departmental boundaries. This feature
provides more functionality and better services to the users.

11.

Increased productivity

The database approach provides all the low-level file-handling routines. The provision of these
functions allows the programmer to concentrate more on the specific functionality required by
the users. The fourth-generation environment provided by the database can simplify the database
application development.
12.

Improved maintenance

Database approach provides a data independence. As a change of data structure in the database
will be affect the application program, it simplifies database application maintenance.
13.

Increased concurrency

Database can manage concurrent data access effectively. It ensures no interference between
users that would not result any loss of information nor loss of integrity.
14.

Improved backing and recovery services

Modern database management system provides facilities to minimize the amount of processing
that can be lost following a failure by using the transaction approach.
Disadvantages
In split of a large number of advantages can be found in the database approach, it is not without
any challenge. The following disadvantages can be found including:
1.

Complexity

Database management system is an extremely complex piece of software. All parties must be
familiar with its functionality and take full advantage of it. Therefore, training for the
administrators, designers and users is required.
2.

Size

The database management system consumes a substantial amount of main memory as well as a
large number amount of disk space in order to make it run efficiently.
3.

Cost of DBMS

A multi-user database management system may be very expensive. Even after the installation,
there is a high recurrent annual maintenance cost on the software.
4.
Cost of conversion: When moving from a file-base system to a database system, the
company is required to have additional expenses on hardware acquisition and training cost.

5.

Performance

As the database approach is to cater for many applications rather than exclusively for a particular
one, some applications may not run as fast as before.
6.

Higher impact of a failure

The database approach increases the vulnerability of the system due to the centralization. As all
users and applications reply on the database availability, the failure of any component can bring
operations to a halt and affect the services to the customer seriously.
2. What is telecommunication?
Telecommunications, also known as telecom, is the exchange of information over significant
distances by electronic means and refers to all types of voice, data and video transmission. This
is a broad term that includes a wide range of information transmitting technologies such as
telephones (wired and wireless), microwave communications, fiber optics, satellites, radio and
television broadcasting, the internet and telegraphs.
Telecommunication technology
Data in any form (voice, text and image) follows two format of transmission through a media.
The can be analog or digital.
Analog Transmission
An analog wave form (or signal) is characterized by being continuously variable along amplitude
and frequency. In the case of telephony, for instance, when you speak into a handset, there are
changes in the air pressure around your mouth. Those changes in air pressure fall onto the
handset, where they are amplified and then converted into current, or voltage fluctuations. Those
fluctuations in current are an analog of the actual voice patternhence the use of the term analog
to describe these signals. Both radio and television transmissions are analog transmissions.

Figure 1 analog transmission

Digital Transmission
Digital transmission is quite different from analog transmission. For one thing, the signal is much
simpler. Rather than being a continuously variable wave form, it is a series of discrete pulses,
representing one bit and zero bits. Each computer uses a coding scheme that defines what
combinations of ones and zeros constitute all the characters in a character set (that is, lowercase
letters, uppercase letters, punctuation marks, digits, keyboard control functions).
This means digital signals are sent as a series of off and on electrical signals or negative and
positive voltages. Before being entered data to the telecommunication lines data is modulated,
that is converted to analog form by a modem. When transmitting is complete, the data must be
converted back to digital form or demodulated, also by modem. therefore modems are devices to
convert data from electronic signals of the computer equipment to the electronic signal of the
telephone circuit and vice versa.

Figure 2 digital transmission

Telecommunication media
A telecommunication channel makes use of a variety of telecommunication media.the following
are some of the examples of telecommunication media.
Twisted pair cable
Coaxial cable and
Optical fibre