Database - management system

A database is collection of related information stored so that it is available to many users for different purpose. For a business to be successful, a fast access to information is vital as important decisions are based on the information available at any point of time. Traditionally, the data was stored in voluminous repositories such as files books and ledgers. However storing data and retrieving information from these repositories was time consuming task. With the development of computers, the problem of information storage and retrieval was resolved. In addition to storage and retrieval of data certain other operations can also be performed on database. These operations include adding, updating and deleting data. All these operations on a database are performed using database management system. A DBMS is an integrated set of programs used to create and maintain a database.

Advantages of DBMS :

• Centralized data management
• Controlled data redundancy
• Enforcing data integrity
• Data security
• Backup and recovery of data
• Data abstraction
• Support multiple views of data
• Multiple user interface  like query language, application program interface, graphical user interface

Cost and Risk of DBMS :

• Installing new database system may require investment in hardware and software. The DBMS requires more main memory and disk storage. Moreover DBMS is quite expensive.
• Training new personnel is expensive. 
• The DBMS provides the centralization of data, which requires the adequate backups of data so that in case of failure, the data can be recovered.
• Centralization increases the security problems.