Database system

A database system is a term that is typically used to encapsulate the constructs of a data model, database Management system (DBMS) and database.^[1]

A database is an organised pool of logically-related data. Data is stored within the data structures of the database. A DBMS is a suite of computer software providing the interface between users and a database or databases. A DBMS is a shell which surrounds a database or series of databases and through which all interactions take place with the database. The interactions catered for by most existing DBMS fall into four main groups:

• Data Definition. Defining new data structures for a database, removing data structures from the database, modifying the structure of existing data.
• Data Maintenance. Inserting new data into existing data structures, updating data in existing data structures, deleting data from existing data structures.
• Data Retrieval. Querying existing data by end-users and extracting data for use by application programs.
• Data Control. Creating and monitoring users of the database, restricting access to data in the database and monitoring the performance of databases.

Both a database and its DBMS conform to the principles of a particular data model.^[2] Data models include the hierarchical data model, the network data model, the relational data model and the object-oriented data model.

See also

• Heterogeneous Database System

References

1. ^ Beynon-Davies P. (2004). Database Systems 3rd Edition. Palgrave, Basingstoke, UK. ISBN 1-4039-1601-2
2. ^ Tsitchizris, D. C. and F. H. Lochovsky (1982). Data Models. Englewood-Cliffs, Prentice-Hall.