UNIT 1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

1. Overview of a Database Management System

A Database Management System (DBMS) is a set of software programs that controls the organisation, storage, management, and retrieval of data in a database. The DBMS accepts requests for data from an application program and instructs the operating system to transfer the appropriate data. The queries and responses must be submitted and received according to a format that conforms to one or more applicable protocols. When a DBMS is used, information systems can be changed much more easily as the organisation‘s information requirements change. New categories of data can be added to the database without disruption to the existing system.