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Difference between File System and DBMS

The document compares File System and Database Management System (DBMS) approaches, highlighting that File Systems are decentralized and prone to data redundancy, while DBMS provides a centralized, organized collection of data with better data sharing, security, and recovery mechanisms. It outlines key differences such as data abstraction, manipulation techniques, concurrency handling, and cost implications. Additionally, it emphasizes that DBMS supports data independence and integrity constraints more effectively than File Systems.

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pillala sathish
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6 views

Difference between File System and DBMS

The document compares File System and Database Management System (DBMS) approaches, highlighting that File Systems are decentralized and prone to data redundancy, while DBMS provides a centralized, organized collection of data with better data sharing, security, and recovery mechanisms. It outlines key differences such as data abstraction, manipulation techniques, concurrency handling, and cost implications. Additionally, it emphasizes that DBMS supports data independence and integrity constraints more effectively than File Systems.

Uploaded by

pillala sathish
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Difference between File System and DBMS

File System Approach


File based systems were an early attempt to computerize the manual system. It is also called a traditional
based approach in which a decentralized approach was taken where each department stored and controlled its
own data with the help of a data processing specialist. The main role of a data processing specialist was to
create the necessary computer file structures, and also manage the data within structures and design some
application programs that create reports based on file data.

In the above figure:

Consider an example of a student's file system. The student file will contain information regarding the student
(i.e. roll no, student name, course etc.). Similarly, we have a subject file that contains information about the
subject and the result file which contains the information regarding the result.

Some fields are duplicated in more than one file, which leads to data redundancy. So to overcome this
problem, we need to create a centralized system, i.e. DBMS approach.

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DBMS:
A database approach is a well-organized collection of data that are related in a meaningful way which can be
accessed by different users but stored only once in a system. The various operations performed by the DBMS
system are: Insertion, deletion, selection, sorting etc.
In the above figure,

In the above figure, duplication of data is reduced due to centralization of data.

There are the following differences between DBMS and File systems:

Basis DBMS Approach File system approach

The file system is a collection of


DBMS is a collection of data. In
data. In this system, the user has
Meaning DBMS, the user is not required to
to write the procedures for
write the procedures.
managing the database.

Data is distributed in many files,


Due to the centralized approach,
Sharing of data and it may be of different formats,
data sharing is easy.
so it isn't easy to share data.

The file system provides the detail


DBMS gives an abstract view of
Data Abstraction of the data representation and
data that hides the details.
storage of data.

DBMS provides a good protection It isn't easy to protect a file under


Security and Protection
mechanism. the file system.

The file system doesn't have a


DBMS provides a crash recovery crash mechanism, i.e., if the
Recovery Mechanism mechanism, i.e., DBMS protects system crashes while entering
the user from system failure. some data, then the content of the
file will be lost.
DBMS contains a wide variety of
The file system can't efficiently
Manipulation Techniques sophisticated techniques to store
store and retrieve the data.
and retrieve the data.

In the File system, concurrent


DBMS takes care of Concurrent access has many problems like
Concurrency Problems access of data using some form of redirecting the file while deleting
locking. some information or updating
some information.

Database approach used in large File system approach used in


Where to use systems which interrelate many large systems which interrelate
files. many files.

The database system is The file system approach is


Cost
expensive to design. cheaper to design.

In this, the files and application


Due to the centralization of the
programs are created by different
Data Redundancy and database, the problems of data
programmers so that there exists
Inconsistency redundancy and inconsistency are
a lot of duplication of data which
controlled.
may lead to inconsistency.

The database structure is The file system approach has a


Structure
complex to design. simple structure.

In this system, Data


Independence exists, and it can
be of two types.
Data Independence In the File system approach, there
o Logical Data exists no Data Independence.
Independence
o Physical Data
Independence

Integrity Constraints are easy to Integrity Constraints are difficult to


Integrity Constraints
apply. implement in file system.

In the database approach, 3 types


of data models exist:
In the file system approach, there
Data Models o Hierarchal data models is no concept of data models
o Network data models exists.
o Relational data models

Flexibility Changes are often a necessity to The flexibility of the system is less
the content of the data stored in as compared to the DBMS
any system, and these changes approach.
are more easily with a database
approach.

Examples Oracle, SQL Server, Sybase etc. Cobol, C++ etc.

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