Lecture 1 — Introduction to Database

What a database and DBMS are, DBMS vs. file processing, data abstraction & independence, database users/roles, and DBMS architectures.

Sections

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DB & DBMS Concepts

Definitions, the 4 characteristics, DBMS responsibilities, examples & application areas.

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DBMS vs File Processing

The 6 drawbacks of file systems (RI·IACS) and the matching DBMS benefits.

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Abstraction, Users & Architecture

The 3 abstraction levels, data independence, DB users/roles, and DBMS architectures.

Quick summary

DB = organized, logically-related data for many users. Traits (PISM):
   Persistent · Integrated · Shared · Managed.
DBMS = software to DEFINE, CREATE, MAINTAIN & CONTROL ACCESS to the DB.

FILE PROCESSING DRAWBACKS (RI·IACS): Redundancy/inconsistency · Isolation ·
   Integrity · Atomicity · Concurrency anomalies · Security.

ABSTRACTION (PLV, bottom→top): Physical/internal → Logical/conceptual →
   View/external.  Data independence = change one level without breaking the one above.

USERS: DBA (run it) · Designer (blueprint) · App Programmer (code) · End Users (use it).
ARCHITECTURES: Centralized · Client-Server · Distributed · Parallel.