Before Databases...

        •Information was kept in files:
–Each field describes one piece of information about student
–Fields are separated by commas
–A record is a collection of related fields
–Each record is a separate line

Problems with Files

•Proliferation of data management programs to deal with different file formats

•Redundant data stored in files

•Data files may contain inconsistent data

Database Approach

-Database stores all organizational data

  in a central location

-Good database design eliminates redundant

  data to reduce the possibility of inconsistent 

  data

-Single application called the database

 management system (DBMS) performs 

 all routine data handling operations

-Database administrator (DBA):

  person responsible for installing, 

  administering, and maintaining the database

Client/Server

 Database 

Architecture