Data: Data are the raw alphanumeric values obtained through different
acquisition methods. Data in their simplest form consist of raw
alphanumeric values.
Data is a collection of a distinct small unit of information. It can be
used in a variety of forms like text, numbers, media, bytes, etc. it
can be stored in pieces of paper or electronic memory, etc.
Word 'Data' is originated from the word 'datum' that means 'single
piece of information. It is plural of the word datum.
In computing, Data is information that can be translated into a form
for efficient movement and processing. Data is interchangeable.
Information: Information is created when data are processed,
organized, or structured to provide context and meaning. Information is
essentially processed data.
the collected facts and data about a particular subject
A telephone service that supplies telephone numbers to the public on request.
computer data that has been organized and presented in a
systematic fashion to clarify the underlying meaning
Knowledge: Knowledge is what we know. Knowledge is unique to each
individual and is the accumulation of past experience and insight that
shapes the lens by which we interpret, and assign meaning to,
information.
Knowledge is a result in action, an individual must have the
authority and capacity to make and implement a decision.
Knowledge (and authority) are needed to produce actionable
information that can lead to impact.
Note: The flow from data to information and knowledge is not uni-directional. The knowledge
gained may reveal redundancies or gaps in the data collected. As a result, an actionable insight may
be to change the data collected, or how those data are converted into information, to better meet
user needs.
Figure: Characteristics of data, information, and knowledge
Database:
A database is a systematic collection of data. They support
electronic storage and manipulation of data. Databases make data
management easy.
A database is an organized collection of structured information, or
data, typically stored electronically in a computer system.
A database is usually controlled by a database management system (DBMS).
For example:
An online telephone directory uses a database to store
data of people, phone numbers, and other contact details.
Your electricity service provider uses a database to
manage billing, client- related issues, handle fault data, etc.
File Based Management System:
File based systems were an early attempt to computerize the manual system.
It is also called a traditional based approach in which a
decentralized approach was taken where each department stored
and controlled its own data with the help of a data processing
specialist.
The main role of a data processing specialist was to create the
necessary computer file structures, and also manage the data within
structures and design some application programs that create
reports based on file data.
C/C++ and COBOL languages were used to design the files.
In the above figure:
Consider an example of a student's file system. The student file will
contain information regarding the student (i.e. roll no, student name,
course etc.). Similarly, we have a subject file that contains information
about the subject and the result file which contains the information
regarding the result.
Some fields are duplicated in more than one file, which leads to data
redundancy. So to overcome this problem, we need to create a
centralized system, i.e. DBMS approach.
DBMS (Database Management System): A database approach is a well-
organized collection of data that are related in a meaningful way which
can be accessed by different users but stored only once in a system. The
various operations performed by the DBMS system are: Insertion, deletion,
selection, sorting etc.
The DBMS was introduced during 1960’s to store any data.
A DBMS is a software used to store and manage data.
It also offers manipulation of the data like insertion, deletion, and updating of
the data.
DBMS system also performs the functions like defining,
creating, revising and controlling the database.
It is specially designed to create and maintain data and enable the
individual business application to extract the desired data.
In the above figure,
In the above figure, duplication of data is reduced due to centralization of data.
RDBMS (Relational Database Management System):
It came into existence during 1970’s.
Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) is an
advanced version of a DBMS system.
RDBMS system also allows the organization to access data more
efficiently than DBMS.
RDBMS is a software system which is used to store only data which
need to be stored in the form of tables.
In this kind of system, data is managed and stored in rows and
columns which is known as tuples and attributes.
RDBMS is a powerful data management system and is widely used across the
world.
Comparison Between File Based and Database System
File Based System DBMS
A file system is a software that DBMS or Database Management
manages and organizes the files in a System is a software application. It
storage medium. It controls how data is used for accessing, creating, and
is stored and retrieved. managing databases.
The file system provides the details of DBMS gives an abstract view of data
data representation and storage of that hides the details
data.
Storing and retrieving of data can’t be DBMS is efficient to use as there are
done efficiently in a file system. a wide variety of methods to store
and retrieve data.
It does not offer data recovery There is a backup recovery for data
processes. in DBMS.
The file system doesn’t have a crash
DBMS provides a crash recovery
recovery mechanism.
mechanism
Protecting a file system is very DBMS offers good protection
difficult. mechanism.
In a file management system, the The redundancy of data is low in the
redundancy of data is greater. DBMS system.
Data inconsistency is low in a
Data inconsistency is higher in the file
database management system.
system.
Database Management System offers
The file system offers lesser security.
high security.
File System allows you to stores the Database Management System
data as isolated data files and entities. stores data as well as defined
constraints and interrelation.
Not provide support for complicated
Easy to implement complicated
transactions.
transactions.
The centralization process is Centralization is easy to achieve in
hard in File Management the DBMS system.
System.
It doesn’t offer backup and recovery DBMS system provides backup and
of data if it is lost. recovery of data even if it is lost.
There is no efficient query processing You can easily query data in a
in the file system. database using the SQL language.
These system doesn’t offer DBMS system provides a
concurrency. concurrency facility.