Database concepts

Relational database management systems

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Database concepts

What is a database management system?

|
A database management system (DBMS) is system software that allows users to create, store, retrieve,
and run queries on data stored in a database. It acts as an interface between an end-user or an
application and a database.

Computers

Human users can

Database DBMS interact via interface

Applications

Interaction is through
built-in workloads for
specific functions
Popular database management systems include MySQL,
SQLite, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle database, etc.
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Database concepts

Client-server architecture for a DBMS

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The client-server architecture is the framework in which the DBMS lives. The clients are
represented by computers and applications while the server is where the database and the
DBMS live.

Server Computers
Client

Database DBMS

The server provides a function

Internet
or service (i.e. data
Applications
manipulation) to one or more
clients and can live anywhere in
the world as long as there is
access through the Internet.

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Database concepts

Client-server architecture pros and cons

Advantages Disadvantages

● Centralised data management ● As the server acts as a central point, an outage

or failure can disrupt the whole system
● Simultaneous access to a database by multiple
clients and users ● Maintenance and upgrades of the server
infrastructure require resources
● Security and access control
● Network dependency can disrupt effective
● Allows for scaling as the need for a user base
communication
grows
● Increased network latency can affect real-time
or performance-sensitive applications

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Database concepts

The purpose of database management systems

01. Data security 04. Data integrity

Incorporate security measures to protect data from Implement various constraints, ensuring that data
unauthorised access, manipulation, or breaches. remains accurate, consistent, and reliable.

02. Data manipulation and storage 05. Data sharing and collaboration

Allow users to perform operations such as inserting, Enable multiple users to access and work with the
deleting, and modifying records. They manage the same data concurrently ensuring data consistency.
allocation of storage space, efficient storage
mechanisms, and data file management.

03. Data backup and recovery 06. Data scalability

Allow for regular backups of the database which can Handle increasing volumes of data and growing user
be used to restore data in case of system failures, demands. Scalability options include partitioning or
data corruption, or other unexpected events. clustering, to distribute and manage data across
multiple servers.
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Database concepts

Types of database management systems

| Database management systems can be categorised based on various criteria such as the
number of users or the data model. The most common types include:

Data are organised in a tree-like structure, where each parent node or record is
01. ●
linked to one or more child nodes, forming a parent-child relationship.
Hierarchical DBMS ● For example: IBM's Information Management System IMS

● Data are organised in a graph-like structure, where records are connected by

02. links which represent their relationship. Child nodes or records can have multiple
parent nodes or records, unlike the hierarchical model.
Network DBMS
● For example: IDMS Integrated Database Management System)

Data are organised into tables consisting of rows and columns, where each
03. ●
table represents an entity or a relationship between entities.
Relational DBMS ● For example: Oracle, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite

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Database concepts

Relational database management systems

| Relational database management systems RDBMSs are the most widely used DBMSs because
of their efficiency in data standardisation, querying, and relationships.

Standardisation Data querying Data relationships

RDBMSs adhere to Through SQL, users can query They handle relationships
industry-standard query databases to extract specific between tables hence allowing
language, SQL Structured information and perform data for the modelling of complex
Query Language). SQL provides manipulations based on various associations, and they support
a standardised and efficient way conditions, filters, and sorting efficient querying and retrieval
to interact with databases. requirements. of related data.

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Database concepts

RDBMSs support CRUD operations

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CRUD is an acronym that represents the four
basic operations (create, read, update, delete)
that can be performed on data within an RDBMS.

Why CRUD operations?

Their support enables the standardisation of the creation,

retrieval, modification, and deletion of data, providing a
robust foundation for managing and manipulating
relational data.

CRUD operations are usually supported by query

languages like SQL.
Database concepts

RDBMSs support CRUD operations

● Enables the creation of new records by inserting data into database tables.
Create ● Usually achieved through query statements, e.g. INSERT INTO for SQL.

● Enables the retrieval of data from database tables using SQL statements such as
Read SELECT.
● The RDBMS executes the query and retrieves the matching data.

● Allows modification of existing data in a database through SQL UPDATE statements.

Update ● Verifies the constraints and applies the changes to the matching records, updating
the data in the database accordingly.

● Enables permanent removal of records from the database tables using SQL
DELETE statements.
Delete
● Verifies constraints and deletes the matching records from the table, permanently
removing them from the database.
Database concepts

ACID properties in RDBMSs

| Relational database management systems should have ACID properties which ensure data validity and
compliance. ACID is an acronym for atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability.

A transaction is a single unit of work involving

one or more operations, performed on a
For example, in the event of a power outage, the
database with the aim of reading or modifying
absence of ACID properties could mean that some of
the data.
the modifications made to the database would not be
saved causing inconvenience.

Transactions should follow ACID properties

that guarantee the utmost data reliability and
integrity.

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Database concepts

ACID properties of queries

● Ensures that all operations in a transaction or query (to read, write, update, or

A Atomicity
delete data) are treated as a single unit.
● Meaning either the entire query is executed successfully if run, or none of it is
executed.

● Ensures that transactions or queries only make changes to tables in predefined,

C Consistency
predictable ways.
● This guarantees that errors or corruption in our data do not result in unintended
consequences that compromise the integrity of the database table.

● Ensures that transactions or queries by multiple users on the same database do

I Isolation
not interfere with or affect one another.
● Each query request can occur as though it were occurring one by one, even
though they are simultaneously occurring.

D
● Guarantees that modifications made to our data through successfully executed
Durability transactions will be permanently saved.
● This will remain the case in the event of a system failure.