Database management systems (DBMS)

Data is at the heart of every organization – and volumes are increasing exponentially. To manage, access and store data effectively organizations therefore rely on database management systems (DBMS).

What is a Database Management System?

A database management system is a software that stores data and enables it to be easily managed. A DBMS is responsible for controlling the storage, retrieval, addition, sorting, deletion, modification or use of the data contained within the database.

There are several components in a database management system:

• The database: this is the heart of the DBMS, storing information.
• The database engine: this makes the database accessible. It enables users to access, modify and lock data.
• The database schema: this is the structure of the database.

Taken together the DBMS enables the administration of the underlying data, covering areas such as change management, performance management and backup/recovery.
The DBMS is therefore crucial to ensuring the confidentiality, durability, security and integrity of the data it manages.

Without a DBMS, organizations would not be able to organize, share and fully exploit the data sets at their disposal. Commonly used DBMS include Microsoft Access, MySQL, Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server, MongoDB, OrientDB, and IMS (IBM).

What are the different types of Database Management System?

There are multiple types of database management systems, with their own strengths and weaknesses:

• The relational (or SQL) model: relational data is organized in the form of tables. The advantage is the simplicity of management and the consistency of the information stored. This works best for text or numeric information, such as customer records or sales systems.
• The non-relational model (noSQL): here, data is not necessarily organized in the form of a table, but in a format optimized for the requirements of the type of data stored (for example, simple values, graphics, unstructured data, JSON documents, etc.).
• The hierarchical model: data is classified in a descending tree structure. However, if one of the nodes is deleted, the data below it is also deleted. This does not ensure information continuity.
• Network-oriented data: this model allows you to create multiple connections between different data points (whether ascending, descending, or through multiple connections to other entities).
• Object-oriented data: this allows the management of complex data structures that do not fit relational models..
• Document-oriented data: this classifies data in tables with documents to record the information.

Why use a Database Management System?

Today, the vast majority of business applications and websites use a DBMS behind the scenes. For example: banking systems, customer records, online flight booking platforms, or website product catalogs.

All of this means that the majority of organizations, regardless of their size or industry, benefit from deploying a database management system for three key reasons:

• Database administration: the DBMS allows you to manage changes, backup, restore data and monitor/tune performance.
• Sharing: the DBMS provides a framework for users to share data.
• Security: the DBMS reinforces security by controlling user access, as well as restoring and backing up data to guarantee its integrity in case of failure.