Database System vs. Traditional File Processing

 

1. Self-Describing Nature of the Database System

Database System

  • A DBMS stores both:

    • The actual data, and

    • A complete description of the data (metadata) in a catalog.

  • Metadata includes structure of files, types of data items, constraints, etc.

  • DBMS software reads definitions from the catalog, so it can work with any database.

Traditional File Processing

  • Data description is embedded inside application programs.

  • Each program contains its own file structure definitions (e.g., C++ structs).

  • Programs are tied to a single specific file format and cannot work with other data files.

  • No central catalog or metadata repository.

2. Insulation Between Programs and Data (Program-Data Independence)

Database System

  • Data structure is separated from application programs.

  • If the structure changes (e.g., adding Birth_date to STUDENT), only the catalog changes.

  • Programs continue to work without modification.

  • Achieved through data abstraction provided by the data model.

Traditional File Processing

  • File structure is hard-coded in each program.

  • Any change in file format requires changing all programs that access that file.

  • No mechanism for program-data independence.

  • Details like byte positions and record formats are visible to programs.

3. Support for Multiple Views

Database System

  • DBMS can define multiple views for different users.

  • A view:

    • Can be a subset of the data, or

    • Can be virtual data derived from stored files.

  • Users need not know whether data is stored or computed.

Traditional File Processing

  • Each application defines its own files and programs, so views are limited.

  • No built-in way to provide different external views of the same data.

  • If two users need different views, they usually maintain separate files.

4. Data Sharing and Multiuser Transaction Processing

Database System

  • Multiple users can access and update the database simultaneously.

  • Requires:

    • Concurrency control,

    • Transaction management, and

    • Enforcement of ACID properties (especially isolation and atomicity).

  • Supports Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) environments.

  • Ensures correctness (e.g., preventing two agents from booking the same seat).

Traditional File Processing

  • Data is usually isolated in separate files for each application.

  • Multiuser access is difficult and often requires custom code.

  • No automatic concurrency control or transaction mechanism.

  • Risk of inconsistent or incorrect updates when many users access files simultaneously.

Summary Table

FeatureDatabase System (DBMS)Traditional File Processing
Metadata storageStored in catalog; self-describingInside program code; no catalog
Program-data independenceYes; programs need not change if structure changesNo; programs must change if file structure changes
Data abstractionHigh; internal details hiddenLow; programs deal with record formats directly
Multiple viewsSupportedNot supported or requires separate files/programs
Data sharingCentralized, shared databaseSeparate files for each application
Concurrency controlBuilt-in (transactions, isolation)Must be manually programmed; often absent
RedundancyReducedHigh (duplicate data across apps)
IntegrationHigh; one unified databaseLow; separate independent files

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