Which of the following is an advantage of database approach over flat file approach?
Think of flat files as being similar to the files in a file cabinet drawer—a collection of single records each containing standalone data. Relational databases are a collection of tables linked together using a common piece of data, such as an account number, and can be arranged to highlight specific information for ad hoc queries. A relational database is a scalable and query friendly tool that provides the ability to capture a wide variety of data types. Show
Advanced Data StructuringA flat file is a text file that stores a single record per line with each piece of information separated by a comma — its data structure is self-contained and limited. Relational databases, however, store data in tables that are structured for the needs of the data. Each table is made up of rows and columns, and each column can be designed to hold or restrict a specific type of data. Many tables can be created within a single database. The advanced data structuring capability of the relational database allows programmers and database builders to create more complex relationships between data. For example, a flat file may hold a persons name, address, phone number and account number. A relational database can hold the same data in a table and hold transaction information for that account number in another table and payment information in a third table — all of which can be linked together to create a bigger picture. The flat file structure does not allow the linking of information from flat file to flat file and can only be printed as it is. Ad Hoc QueriesThe data structure of the relational database is ideal for creating ad hoc queries. Once tables have established links between them, a user or programmer can retrieve related data as needed. Relational databases can assist business owners, managers and supervisors with quick query requests by collecting and displaying sales data, employee performance data or production data when needed. On the other hand, a flat file must contain all the necessary information in a single file in order to respond with the data. Flat files would need to be designed to respond to queries, which means queries and flat files would need to be pre-designed. This process slows down decision making and useful inquiry into business processes and ultimately can hamper business growth. ScalabilityRelational databases are scalable, meaning they can grow larger or smaller as needed and be accessed by more users when necessary. More tables can be added, more records can be placed in existing tables, and although a single record in a table is accessed by one person at a time, many users can access the same table and work within it simultaneously. Flat files are not scalable. Placing a million records in a flat file will slow down the opening and closing of the file, plus flat files can only be accessed by a single user at a time, which slows down work processes. Flat files are not a good data storage choice in a fast-paced and growing business environment. Hello Everyone,I apologize for providing the references without formatting in APA style. Please find thereferences below in APA format.Advantages of Database Approach. (n.d.). RetrievedfromWhat are the advantages of Database Management Approach to File Processing Approach. (n.d.).Retrieved from-management-approach-to-file-processing-approach-giveAdvantages and Disadvantages of the database approach. (n.d.). RetrievedfromRegards,Swapna Amrutha.Database approach, where the data can be shared by multiple users and applications. It has manyadvantages and disadvantages.Some of the advantages of Database approach are1.Data validating and updating are the important things, those are easily accessible.2.Data privacy and security are possible, so that the data can be protected. Main Body Adrienne Watt The way in which computers manage data has come a long way over the last few decades. Today’s users take for granted the many benefits found in a database system. However, it wasn’t that long ago that computers relied on a much less elegant and costly approach to data management called the file-based system. File-based SystemOne way to keep information on a computer is to store it in permanent files. A company system has a number of application programs; each of them is designed to manipulate data files. These application programs have been written at the request of the users in the organization. New applications are added to the system as the need arises. The system just described is called the file-based system. Consider a traditional banking system that uses the file-based system to manage the organization’s data shown in Figure 1.1. As we can see, there are different departments in the bank. Each has its own applications that manage and manipulate different data files. For banking systems, the programs may be used to debit or credit an account, find the balance of an account, add a new mortgage loan and generate monthly statements. Figure 1.1. Example of a file-based system used by banks to manage data.Disadvantages of the file-based approachUsing the file-based system to keep organizational information has a number of disadvantages. Listed below are five examples. Data redundancyOften, within an organization, files and applications are created by different programmers from various departments over long periods of time. This can lead to data redundancy, a situation that occurs in a database when a field needs to be updated in more than one table. This practice can lead to several problems such as:
Data isolationData isolation is a property that determines when and how changes made by one operation become visible to other concurrent users and systems. This issue occurs in a concurrency situation. This is a problem because:
Integrity problemsProblems with data integrity is another disadvantage of using a file-based system. It refers to the maintenance and assurance that the data in a database are correct and consistent. Factors to consider when addressing this issue are:
Security problemsSecurity can be a problem with a file-based approach because:
Concurrency accessConcurrency is the ability of the database to allow multiple users access to the same record without adversely affecting transaction processing. A file-based system must manage, or prevent, concurrency by the application programs. Typically, in a file-based system, when an application opens a file, that file is locked. This means that no one else has access to the file at the same time. In database systems, concurrency is managed thus allowing multiple users access to the same record. This is an important difference between database and file-based systems. Database ApproachThe difficulties that arise from using the file-based system have prompted the development of a new approach in managing large amounts of organizational information called the database approach. Databases and database technology play an important role in most areas where computers are used, including business, education and medicine. To understand the fundamentals of database systems, we will start by introducing some basic concepts in this area. Role of databases in businessEverybody uses a database in some way, even if it is just to store information about their friends and family. That data might be written down or stored in a computer by using a word-processing program or it could be saved in a spreadsheet. However, the best way to store data is by using database management software. This is a powerful software tool that allows you to store, manipulate and retrieve data in a variety of different ways. Most companies keep track of customer information by storing it in a database. This data may include customers, employees, products, orders or anything else that assists the business with its operations. The meaning of dataData are factual information such as measurements or statistics about objects and concepts. We use data for discussions or as part of a calculation. Data can be a person, a place, an event, an action or any one of a number of things. A single fact is an element of data, or a data element. If data are information and information is what we are in the business of working with, you can start to see where you might be storing it. Data can be stored in:
All of these items store information, and so too does a database. Because of the mechanical nature of databases, they have terrific power to manage and process the information they hold. This can make the information they house much more useful for your work. With this understanding of data, we can start to see how a tool with the capacity to store a collection of data and organize it, conduct a rapid search, retrieve and process, might make a difference to how we can use data. This book and the chapters that follow are all about managing information. concurrency: the ability of the database to allow multiple users access to the same record without adversely affecting transaction processing data element: a single fact or piece of information data inconsistency: a situation where various copies of the same data are conflicting data isolation: a property that determines when and how changes made by one operation become visible to other concurrent users and systems data integrity: refers to the maintenance and assurance that the data in a database are correct and consistent data redundancy: a situation that occurs in a database when a field needs to be updated in more than one table database approach: allows the management of large amounts of organizational information database management software: a powerful software tool that allows you to store, manipulate and retrieve data in a variety of ways file-based system: an application program designed to manipulate data files
AttributionThis chapter of Database Design (including its images, unless otherwise noted) is a derivative copy of Database System Concepts by Nguyen Kim Anh licensed under Creative Commons Attribution License 3.0 license The following material was written by Adrienne Watt:
What is one advantage of a database over a flat file system?More tables can be added, more records can be placed in existing tables, and although a single record in a table is accessed by one person at a time, many users can access the same table and work within it simultaneously. Flat files are not scalable.
What are the advantage of DBMS approach over file approach?Data sharing: The file system does not allow sharing of data or sharing is too complex. Whereas in DBMS, data can be shared easily due to a centralized system. Data concurrency: Concurrent access to data means more than one user is accessing the same data at the same time.
Which of the following is an advantage of database approach?An advantage of the database management approach is, the DBMS helps to create an environment in which end users have better access to more and better-managed data. Such access makes it possible for end-users to respond quickly to changes in their environment.
What are the advantages of relational databases over flat files systems?A relational database is one that contains multiple tables of data that relate to each other through special key fields. Relational databases are far more flexible (though harder to design and maintain) than what are known as flat file databases, which contain a single table of data.
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