A Database Management System (DBMS) plays a pivotal role in modern data handling,

providing the backbone for storing, retrieving, and managing information in a structured manner.
As organizations across various industries become more data-driven, the demand for efficient,
scalable, and secure databases has grown exponentially. DBMS solutions vary in type, from
relational models that rely on structured query languages to more flexible NoSQL systems
designed for unstructured data. Understanding the different types of DBMS, their architectures,
and their respective advantages and limitations is essential for selecting the right system for
specific applications. This presentation explores key types of DBMS, including Relational,
NoSQL, Hierarchical, Network, and Object-Oriented systems, highlighting their core functions,
structures, and practical applications in today’s data-driven world.

A database management system (DBMS) is software that makes it easy for organisations to
centralise data, manage data efficiently, and provide data access for application programs and
physical data files. (Azhar, Susanto, Meiryani, 2019). Date & Kannan, et al, 2018, also defines
DBMS, as a computerized record keeping system that is repository or a container for collection
of computerized data files. It came about as a response to early methods of computerized
management of commercial data and DBMS is designed to manage large bodies of information.
The overall purpose of DBMS is to define, store, retrieve and update the information contained
in the database on demand. Some of the major areas of application are, banking, airlines,
universities, manufacturing and selling and human resources. There are several types of DBMS
and these include, Relational, Object oriented, Hierarchical, Network, Graph, ER model,
Document based and NoSQL. It is also consists of different components such as database engine,
database schema, query processor, transaction management and data security.

Types on database management systems

The four main database management systems are, Relational, Object oriented, Hierarchical,
Network.

Relational database

The relational database management system (RDBMS) is the most widely used database
management system. RDBMS stores and gives access to data points related to each other. It is
based on the relational model and a precise data representation in tables. In this database every
piece of information has a relationship with every other piece of information. This is on account
of every data value in the database having a unique identity in form of a record. Therefore every
row of data in the database is linked with other row using a primary key. Similarly every table is
linked with other table using a foreign key. RDBMS is available for personal computers, large
mainframe systems and workstations.

Key Features

 Normalization: RDBMSs often use normalization to minimize redundancy and

dependency by organizing data into multiple tables.
 ACID Compliance: Ensures Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability of
transactions, which is crucial for preserving data integrity.
 SQL: The standard language for querying and managing relational databases.

Advantages

 Strong data integrity due to ACID properties.

 Ease of use with standardized SQL.
 Suitable for complex queries and transactions.

Disadvantages

 Less efficient for handling large-scale, unstructured data (e.g., in big data or real-time
analytics scenarios).
 Scalability can be challenging in distributed systems.

Examples

 MySQL: An open-source RDBMS popular for web applications.

 PostgreSQL: Known for being highly extensible and standards-compliant.
 Oracle Database: A widely used enterprise RDBMS that provides advanced features like
high availability and disaster recovery.

Object oriented database

An object database is a database management system in which information is represented in the

form of objects as used in an object-oriented programming. It is a combination of relational
database concept and object-oriented principles. OODBMS is used for the management of
complex information, such as in engineering and other multimedia applications. It stores
information in images, videos, audio files, and other complex data types instead in tables.

Key Features

 Objects: Data is represented as objects, similar to OOP languages like Java or C++.
 Inheritance and Polymorphism: Supports OOP features such as inheritance,
encapsulation, and polymorphism.
 Complex Data Types: Suitable for handling more complex data, such as images, videos,
and custom data structures.

Advantages

 Seamless integration with object-oriented applications.

 Ability to store and retrieve complex data types natively.

Disadvantages

 Less efficient for simpler, transactional applications.

 Complex query optimization compared to RDBMS.

Examples

 ObjectDB: A real-time OODBMS for Java and .NET.

 db4o: An open-source object-oriented database for embedding in Java and .NET
applications.

Hierarchical System

A hierarchical database is a type of data model in which data is stored in the form of records and
organized into a tree-like structure or parent-child structure in which one parent node can have
many child nodes connected through links. A Hierarchical database structure dictates that while a
parent record can have several child records, each child record can only have one parent record.
There is typically a root “parent” directory of data stored as records that links to various other
subdirectory branch, or child record, may link to various other subdirectory branches.

It is used primarily in large-scale mainframe environments such as banking, finance and

insurance.
Key Features

 Tree Structure: The database is structured in a hierarchical form, similar to a file system.
 Fast Access: Efficient when data access patterns follow the hierarchical structure.
 Parent-Child Relationships: Data is accessed by navigating through parent-child
relationships.

Advantages

 Very efficient for hierarchical data and one-to-many relationships.

 Simple and fast for data that has a clear, predefined structure.

Disadvantages

 Lack of flexibility; difficult to restructure the hierarchy.

 Redundancy issues due to a rigid parent-child relationship structure.

Examples

 IBM’s Information Management System (IMS): One of the earliest hierarchical database
systems, still in use for specific legacy applications.

Windows Registry: Uses a hierarchical database structure for storing configuration settings in the
operating system

Network
A network database management system is designed to store, retrieve and manage data in a
networked environment. It allows sharing of data among multiple users on a network. It only
manages the data within the network but also ensures it is consistent across all connected
devices. Based on traditional hierarchical database, except, it allows each object to have multiple
parents instead of a single parent.

Key Features

 Many-to-Many Relationships: Unlike the hierarchical model, the network model supports
more flexible relationships between records.
 Pointers: Relationships between records are represented through pointers, which connect
the records.
Advantages

 Suitable for handling more complex relationships than hierarchical DBMS.

 More efficient data retrieval than hierarchical models due to the ability to traverse
multiple relationships.

Disadvantages

 Complexity in design and implementation.

 Pointers can make the system rigid and difficult to modify.

Examples

 Integrated Data Store (IDS): One of the early implementations of the network DBMS
model.
 IDMS (Integrated Database Management System): A network DBMS for mainframe
computers.

NoSQL (Non-Relational) Database Management System

Overview

NoSQL DBMS are designed to handle unstructured or semi-structured data, which is often
difficult to store in a traditional relational model. NoSQL databases are more flexible in terms of
schema and are optimized for performance and scalability, especially in distributed systems.

Types of NoSQL DBMS

1. Document-Oriented Databases: Data is stored in document formats such as JSON or

BSON. Examples include MongoDB and Couchbase.
2. Key-Value Stores: Data is stored as a simple key-value pair, making it highly efficient for
certain types of queries. Examples include Redis and Amazon DynamoDB.
3. Column-Oriented Databases: Data is stored in columns instead of rows, making it highly
optimized for reading large datasets. Examples include Apache Cassandra and HBase.
4. Graph Databases: Designed to store data in a graph format, where entities are nodes and
relationships are edges. These databases are ideal for social networks, recommendation
systems, etc. Examples include Neo4j and Amazon Neptune.

Key Features

 Schema-less: Flexible schema that can evolve over time.

 Horizontal Scalability: Designed to scale out by distributing data across many servers.
 Eventual Consistency: Prioritizes availability and partition tolerance, often at the cost of
strict consistency (as per the CAP theorem).
Advantages

 Highly scalable and capable of handling large volumes of data in distributed

environments.
 Flexible data models, making them suitable for real-time web applications, big data, and
IoT systems.

Disadvantages

 Lack of ACID compliance in many NoSQL databases, leading to potential consistency

issues.
 Not ideal for complex transactions that require strong consistency.

Examples

 MongoDB: Popular for handling semi-structured data and scalable applications.

 Cassandra: Used for high-throughput applications like logging and monitoring.

Components of data manangement systems

A database management system consist of several components. Each component play an
important role in the database management environment. The major components of database
management systems are software, hardware, data, procedures and users.

Hardware is the actual computer system used for keeping and accessing the database. It consists
of a set of physical electronic devices such as computer storage device, channels
electromechanical device that make interface between real world system etc. and so on. It is
impossible to implement DBMS without thee hardware device. In a network a powerful
computer with higher data processing speed and a storage device with higher storage capacity is
required as a database server.

Software, the main component of DBMS, it is the set of program used to handle the database and
to control and manage the overall computerized database. Software is the most important
component of the entire system.
Data, in DBMS databases are defined, constructed and then data is stored, updated and retrieved
to and from the database. The main purpose of the DBMS is to process data, the database
contains both the actual data and metadata. Users that operate and manage the DBMS require
documented procedures on how to use or run the database management system.

Users, are the people who manage the database and perform different operations on the databases
in the database system. There are three types of people who play different roles in database
system, application programmers, database administrators and end users.

Procedures refer to the instruction and rules that help to design the database and to use the
DBMS

Benefits of Database management systems include the following;

 Reduced data redundancy, controls redundancy by restricting duplication of data, where one
file cannot be stored multiple types in data system.
 Greater efficiency. t eliminates extra time for processing large volumes of data, thereby
saving storage space. An example is the use of bar codes in grocery stores.
 Concurrent access, improves data sharing by allowing users to share data in a number of
application programmes, e.g. use of Human Resources Information Management System
(HRIMS) and pre-paid tollgates, e-government procurement system.
 Data integrity, to get higher level of protection against prohibited access to data.
 Secure in that access is limited to individuals with authority to access information. Student
portals at universities.
 Data consistency through promotion of continuity thereby avoiding redundancy allowing for
effective data intergration.
 Data recovery and back up.

 Traceability, allows teams to keep track of everything, including who is accessing the data
and where they are accessing it.
 Improved data sharing
 A stronger implementation of privacy and security policies.

Disadvantages

 Complexity, supports multiple functionality thereby users neeed to have vast knowledge
of the software
 Size, uses large amounts of memory due to its complexity and functionality
 Cost, it is expensive start up and also costly to maintain.
 Performance, some applications may not run as before as more applications are used by
the system
 Higher impact of a failure, due to centralization, failure of any component can bring
operations to a halt and affect the services to the customers seriously.

Database Management Systems are integral to managing the vast and complex data that
organizations rely on for decision-making and operational efficiency. From traditional Relational
DBMS to more modern NoSQL systems, each type offers unique advantages suited to different
data management challenges. Relational DBMSs, with their strong focus on consistency and data
integrity, remain popular in transactional environments, while NoSQL systems excel in
distributed, high-volume data environments. Meanwhile, Hierarchical, Network, and Object-
Oriented DBMS continue to serve specialized purposes. As data requirements evolve, DBMS
technologies will continue to adapt, shaping the future of data storage and retrieval. By
understanding the strengths and limitations of each DBMS type, organizations can make
informed choices to meet their specific data management needs.
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