subject: Database Management: Ensuring The Security Of Databases And Its Optimized Utilization [print this page] A database can be defined as a collection of records and files which can be retrieved by a single or multiple users. This pool of records can also be retrieved, edited, and restored. Databases are as old as the computers. They emerged in the mid 1960s and since then have undergone many evolutionary changes to take the current form. The importance of maintaining a database is felt by every organization. It needs to store information relating to its employees, clients, customers, and other company-related information. Even the retaliating sectors have started relying on databases to increase its sale and at the same maintain a good relationship with its customers. Maintaining a user database can help them to better serve their customers and also better time their sale. For example, such a database can information such a customers birthday. You can wish him on his birthday and also give special offers for the occasion. You can also inform them about other such offers on their e-mails or on phones.
A database is constantly updated with new records. Some records may also become obsolete and required to be deleted from the system. The way the records are stored, retrieved and used is defined by the database management system (DBMS). A DBMS comprised five components each executing different functions. These components are DBMS engine, data manipulation subsystem, application generation subsystem, data definition subsystem, and data administration subsystem. A DBMS is more like a set of prewritten programs which defines the way the database functions. This set of programs dictates how to maintain and use the database. In most organizations, the maintenance of a database is usually place in the hands of a person known as database manager. He is an expert who keeps a close watch over the organizations database and ensures its security. He is also responsible updating the database.
There are different models of DBMS of which the most common models are hierarchical model, network model, relational model, and object model. Each model calls for a different nature of storage and use. The relational model is currently the most used model.
