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2. Facilitates sharing of data: In a database, users can share the data amongst themselves. There
are various levels of authorisation (for example, password) to access the data, and the data can
only be shared based on the correct authorisation entered by the users. Many remote users can
also access the database simultaneously and share the data amongst themselves.
3. Data Integrity: Data integrity means that the data is accurate and consistent in the database.
Data integrity is very important as big organisations are completely dependent upon database
systems. Any error in the data causes a serious disruption in the working of the organisation. So it
is necessary to ensure that the data is correct and consistent in all the databases and for all the
users.
4. Data Security and Privacy: Data security is a vital concept in any database. Only authorised
users should be allowed to access the database and their identity should be authenticated using a
username and password. There are levels of database access and a user can only view the data
he/she is allowed to.
5. Backup and Recovery: A Database Management System automatically takes care of backup
and recovery. Users don’t need to backup data periodically because this is taken care of by the a
DBMS. Moreover, it restores the database after a crash or system failure to its previous condition.
6. Data Consistency: Data consistency is ensured in a database because there is no data
redundancy or duplicacy. All data appears consistently across the database and the data is the
same for all the users viewing the database. Moreover, any changes made to the database are
immediately reflected to all the users and there is no data inconsistency.
DATABASE APPLICATIONS
Some example of applications where database is used are:
• Railways and Airlines: For schedules and reservation.
• Banking: For customer information, accounts, loans, transactions like deposits and
withdrawal of money.
• Universities and Schools: Students and teachers information, issue of books in library, for
financial transactions like students fee collection and salary of teachers.
• Telecommunication: For keeping track of number of calls made and preparing bills.
• Shops: For displaying prices and preparing bills, keeping track of inventory and fast moving
goods.
DISADVANTAGES OF A DBMS
1. Increased costs: One of the disadvantages of a DBMS is that they require sophisticated
hardware and software and highly skilled personnel. The cost of maintaining the hardware,
software, and personnel required to operate and manage a database system can be substantial.
Training, licensing and regulation compliance costs are often overlooked when database systems
are implemented.
2. Management complexity: Database systems interface with many different technologies and
have a significant impact on an organisation's resources and culture. The changes introduced by
the adoption of a database system must be properly managed to ensure that it helps advance the
organisation's objectives.
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