Introduction to Database
Systems
Subtopics: Data vs Information, DBMS, Database
Users, Advantages of DBMS
Reference: Elmasri & Navathe — Fundamentals of Database Systems, Pearson, 2016
1. What Is Data? What Is Information?
Term Definition Example
Raw facts, figures, or symbols 34, John, Nairobi,
Data
without context. Sales=2000
Processed or organized data “John in Nairobi made
Informati
that is meaningful and useful sales worth 2000 this
on
for decision-making. month.”
Data becomes Information when it is processed,
organized, and given meaning.
2. What Is a Database?
A database is a structured collection of related data, stored electronically so it can
be accessed, managed, and updated easily.
Can be small (like a phone contact list) or huge (like Facebook’s user data or
bank transactions).
Modern databases are stored digitally and accessed through software.
3. What Is a DBMS (Database
Management System)?
A DBMS is software that helps users create, access, and manage databases.
Examples:
DBMS
Example
Type
MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL
Relational
Server
NoSQL MongoDB, Cassandra, Firebase
Key Functions of a DBMS:
Store and retrieve data efficiently
Allow multiple users to access data at the same time (multi-user access)
Ensure security and privacy
Maintain data integrity and consistency
Provide backup and recovery
4. Types of Database Users
Different people interact with databases in different ways:
User Type Role Example
Use the database to A cashier using POS
End Users
retrieve or update data system
Application Write programs that A developer writing a
Programmers access the database login system
Database Manage the database,
IT staff handling user
Administrators ensure security &
permissions
(DBA) backups
System Analysts / Design the structure of Staff planning how
Designers the database tables should relate
5. Advantages of Using a DBMS
Advantage Explanation
Data Integrity & Ensures consistent and correct data. (e.g.,
Accuracy no duplicate student IDs)
Reduced Data Avoids storing the same data in multiple
Redundancy places.
Access control: only authorized users can
Improved Security
view or edit data.
Data Sharing & Many people can use the database at the
Multi-user Access same time.
Automatic data recovery in case of crash or
Backup & Recovery
power outage.
Standardized Data All applications follow the same method
Management when storing data.
6. Real-World Example
Without DBMS (Traditional File System)
A company stores employee details in Excel files on different computers.
Problems:
Duplicate or outdated copies.
Hard to search or update consistently.
No access control — anyone can change anything.
With DBMS (e.g., MySQL or SQL Server)
All employee data is stored centrally in one system.
Authorized departments (HR, Payroll, Admin) access only their relevant
parts.
Backups and permissions are handled automatically.
Result: Faster, safer, and more reliable data
handling.
7. Quick Revision Table
Concept Description
Data Raw facts (e.g., 100, Alice, 2024-01-02)
Informatio
Processed data with meaning
n
Database Organized collection of related data
DBMS Software to manage databases
Users End users, DBAs, programmers
Advantage Less redundancy, more security, backup,
s integrity
Database Architecture &
Models
Subtopics: Three-Schema Architecture, ER Model,
Relational Model
Reference: Connolly & Begg – Database Systems: A Practical Approach to Design,
Implementation, and Management, Pearson, 2015
1. Database Architecture Overview
A database architecture defines how data is stored, accessed, and presented to
users.
The most widely accepted structure is the Three-Schema Architecture, which helps
separate how data is stored, used internally, and seen by users.
2. Three-Schema Architecture
(ANSI/SPARC Model)
Schema
Purpose Who Sees It? Example
Level
A bank teller sees
External Individual user End users /
only account +
Schema views of data applications
balance, not
passwords
Overall logical Database All entities like
Conceptua
structure of the designers / Customers, Accounts,
l Schema
database analysts Transactions
How data is stored on
Internal Physical storage DBMS / System
disk (indexes, file
Schema details engineers
formats)
sA data model defines how data is organized and represented. The two models
students must master early on are:
3.1 ER Model (Entity-Relationship Model)
Used during database design to visually represent real-world objects and
their relationships.
Created using ER Diagrams (ERD).
ER
Meaning Example
Component
Entity Object/table Student, Course
Attribute Property/field StudentName, Age
Primary Key
Unique identifier StudentID
(PK)
Link between Student enrolls in
Relationship
entities Course
Example ER Diagram:
[Student] ---- enrolls ---- [Course]
|PK: StudentID |PK: CourseID
|Name |Title
|Age |Credits
3.2 Relational Model
Once the ER design is complete, it is converted into tables (relations).
Concept In ER Model In Relational Model
Entity Student Student table
Attribute Age Column (Age)
Primary Primary Key
StudentID
Key constraint
Relationshi Student -
Foreign Key
p Course
Example Tables:
STUDENT Table
StudentID Nam Ag
(PK) e e
S01 Alice 20
Bria
S02 22
n
ENROLLMENT Table
StudentID CourseID
(FK) (FK)
S01 C01
S02 C02
4. Summary Comparison
Visual/
odel Purpose Used In
Form
ER model Conceptual design Early planning Diagrams
Relational Logical Actual
Tables
Model implementation database
5. Why Architecture & Models Matter
They ensure structured thinking before implementation
They prevent errors and redundancy
They allow clear communication between designers and developers
Quick Revision Questions
What are the three levels of the Three-Schema Architecture?
What is the difference between ER Model and Relational Model?
What is Data Independence and why is it important?