File system and Database Management System

6 min readJul 8, 2022

File System

The file system is basically a way of arranging the files in a storage medium like a hard disk.

The operating system’s file system is a mechanism and data structure for controlling how data is saved and accessed.

Data deposited in a storage medium without a file system would be one huge body of data with no way of knowing where one piece of data ends and the next begins.

The data is easily extracted and identified by splitting it into bits and giving each one a name. Each group of data is referred to as a “file”.

A “file system” is the structure and logic rules that are used to organize groups of data and their names.

Files can be collectively present inside a directory. Directories can again be present inside another directory giving it a hierarchical structure.

Although Windows supports a variety of file systems, NTFS is the most popular in today’s world. Because files are commonly organized in a hierarchy, the file system allows you to browse the files in the current directory.

Example: NTFS(New Technology File System), EXT(Extended File System).

Advantages of the file system

Compactness
Data Retrieval
Editing
Backup
File Sharing

Compactness

Data can be stored in a small amount of space.

No need of external storage

2. Data Retrieval

Computer-based systems offer improved data retrieval techniques that make it simple and efficient to retrieve data from files.

3. Editing

Any information saved in computers in the form of files can be easily edited

No need of highly technical person to handle the database

4. Backup

It is possible to take faster and automatic back-up of database stored in files of computer-based systems.
computer systems provide functionalities to serve this purpose.it is also possible to develop specific application program for this purpose.

(Computer systems provide features that can help with this. It’s also possible to create a custom application for this.)

5. File Sharing

Data saved in computer-based system files can be shared by several users at the same time.

6. low cost

Disadvantage of File-system

Data redundancy.
Data inconsistency.
Difficult data access.
Security problems.
Difficult concurrent access.

1. Data Redundancy

It is possible that the same information may be duplicated in different files.this leads to data redundancy results in memory wastage.

2. Data Inconsistency

Because of data redundancy,it is possible that data may not be in consistent state.

3. Difficulty in Accessing Data

Accessing data is not convenient and efficient in file processing system.

4. Limited Data Sharing

Data are scattered in various files.also different files may have different formats and these files may be stored in different folders may be of different departments.

So, due to this data isolation, it is difficult to share data among different applications.

5. Integrity Problems

Data integrity means that the data contained in the database in both correct and consistent.for this purpose the data stored in database must satisfy correct and constraints.

6. Atomicity Problems

Any operation on database must be atomic.

this means, it must happen in its entirely or not at all.

7. Concurrent Access Anomalies

Multiple users are allowed to access data simultaneously.this is for the sake of better performance and faster response.

8. Security Problems

Database should be accessible to users in limited way.

Each user should be allowed to access data concerning his requirements only.

DBMS(Database Management System)

What is a Database Management System ?

DBMS is a collection of programs that enables user to
create and maintain a database.

What is a Database Management System ?

DBMS is software system that allows the access
to the data contained in a database.

E.g: MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft Access, SQL Server, FileMaker, Oracle,
RDBMS, dBASE, Clipper, and FoxPro.

Advantage of DBMS

There are several advantages of Database management system over file system.

No redundant data

Redundancy removed by data normalization. No data duplication saves storage and improves access time.

Data Consistency and Integrity

As we discussed earlier the root cause of data inconsistency is data redundancy, since data normalization takes care of the data redundancy, data inconsistency also been taken care of as part of it

Data Security

It is easier to apply access constraints in database systems so that only authorized user is able to access the data. Each user has a different set of access thus data is secured from the issues such as identity theft, data leaks and misuse of data.

Privacy

Limited access means privacy of data.

Easy access to data

Database systems manages data in such a way so that the data is easily accessible with fast response times.

Easy recovery

Since database systems keeps the backup of data, it is easier to do a full recovery of data in case of a failure.

Flexible

Database systems are more flexible than file processing systems.

Disadvantage of DBMS

Increased costs

DBMS implementation cost is high compared to the file system

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.

Management complexity

Database systems are complex to understand

Database systems interface with many different technologies and have a significant impact on a company’s resources and culture.

Performance

Database systems are generic, making them suitable for various applications. However this feature affect their performance for some applications

Maintaining currency

To maximize the efficiency of the database system, you must keep your system current.

Therefore, you must perform frequent updates and apply the latest patches and security measures to all components.

Because database technology advances rapidly, personnel training costs tend to be significant. Vendor dependence.

Given the heavy investment in technology and personnel training, companies might be reluctant to change database vendors

Difference between File System and DBMS

A file system is a software that manages and organizes the files in a storage medium, whereas DBMS is a software application that is used for accessing, creating, and managing databases.

The file system doesn’t have a crash recovery mechanism on the other hand, DBMS provides a crash recovery mechanism.

Data inconsistency is higher in the file system. On the contrary Data inconsistency is low in a database management system.

File system does not provide support for complicated transactions, while in the DBMS system, it is easy to implement complicated transactions using SQL.

File system does not offer concurrency, whereas DBMS provides a concurrency facility.