What is Database Management Software?

In the era of Digital Transformation (DX), companies collect massive amounts of data. These need organized storage to be accessible and easy to use. As a result, Database Software rose. Also known as Database Management Systems (DBMS), it was the tool created to solve this issue. This article will cover Database Software's definition, what it does, and its features for business productivity. Also, we'll cover its prominent types and provide a list of the best DBMS currently available. Furthermore, we'll analyze the difference between SQL and NoSQL. Join us!

What is Database Management Software (DBMS)?

Database Management tools enable users to create and manage databases efficiently between users and application programs. It provides various functionalities, such as creating, storing, retrieving, and updating data sources, ensuring the information's accuracy, consistency, and security. With DBMS, users can organize and structure the data to suit their needs, define relationships between different data models, and perform complex queries to extract specific information. 

In addition, DBMS offers features such as back-up and recovery, data replication, and access control to ensure the integrity and availability of the data. DBMS plays a vital role in modern businesses, where data is a valuable asset that requires proper management and protection. Now, let's examine what this software does!

Functions of Database Management Software

One of DBMS' most crucial functions is creating back-ups, which ensures data security in case of unexpected events. DBMS stores data in a centralized location, making it easy to access and manage. Moreover, it allows multiple users to share data, which is particularly useful in collaborative environments. DBMS controls different access levels, ensuring only database administrators or authorized users can access sensitive data. Lastly, DBMS provides User Interfaces (UI) that enable users to work effortlessly with the data stored in the system.

Features of Database Management Software

1. Data Integrity: One of DBMS' most important features is data integrity. This software ensures the data is accurate and consistent and has no data entry errors or duplicates.

2. File Consistency: Database Management Software ensures that data files are consistent and up-to-date. It also guarantees that data loss due to system crashes or hardware failures.

3. Logical Structure: DBMS helps organize data logically and meaningfully, allowing users to define data structures and relationships and then store and retrieve data in a structured manner.

4. Security Protocols: Database Software has a variety of security protocols, such as authentication, authorization, encryption, and auditing, to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or theft.

5. Database Customization: This software allows users to customize databases to meet their needs. Users can define tables, fields, and relationships and create custom reports and queries to retrieve and analyze data.

6. Permanent Storage: DBMS software stores data permanently in the memory database, ensuring it's always available when needed. It is important for businesses needing historical data for reporting and analysis purposes.

7. Data-Based Reporting: With DBMS, users can create reports based on the data stored in a single database. You can customize these reports to meet specific requirements and use them for various purposes, including financial reporting, inventory management, and sales analysis.

8. Space and Cost Saving: Database Software helps to save storage space and money by reducing data duplication and redundancy. As a result, businesses can store more data in less space, saving money on hardware and storage costs.

9. Small Redundancy: DBMS ensures minimal data duplication and redundancy, helping businesses avoid storing the same data in multiple places, which leads to data inconsistencies.

10. User-Defined Rules: Using Database Management Software, users can define rules and constraints for data entry and storage, ensuring accurate and consistent data.

Types of Database Management Software (DBMS)

1. Hierarchical DBMS

First developed by IBM, these store data through a hierarchical structure or parent-child models. These common types of databases contain info about these relationships besides the data itself. Further, these get organized in a tree-like structure. This one-to-one or one-to-many format means child records can't have more than one parent. Some hierarchical models include Windows Registry and IBM Information Management System (IMS).

2. Network DBMS

Invented by Charles Bachman, network DBMSs use network structures to create data relationships. These are more flexible, as they allow many-to-many connections. For instance, each child can have many parents. In this type, children are "members," while parents are "occupiers." Examples of network database software include IDMS, Raina, and Database Manager.

3. Relational DBMS

You can use Relational Database models where there is a relationship between data. Often, the data storage goes in lots of related tables. In these tables, the data gets organized in rows and columns. While rows represent different records, columns show attributes. Since relational systems are more flexible than hierarchical and network databases, they are popular. As a differential, Relational database software has its specific programming language. This type of database receives the name Structured Query Language (SQL). Some relational database systems include MySQL and Oracle, which we'll see in more detail below.

4. Object-Oriented DBMS

This type of DBMS arises from Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). Here, entities translate to objects instead of rows and columns. After this, they get stored in memory. In Object-Oriented Software, database objects have members like fields, methods, and properties. This DBMS is compatible with many programming languages, such as C++ and Java.

Best Database Management Software (DBMS)

There is a wide range of Database Management Systems, depending on your needs. Nonetheless, remember you need to use Application Programming Interfaces (API) to enable you to create a database to access the data. Here are some of the most popular database management systems.

1. MongoDB

It's one of the most popular NoSQL DBMSs available in the market. MongoDB is document-based, supports scalability and agility, and has speedy query performance. Further, this database service tool offers 24/7 support and reliable backup and recovery methods. You can try this DBMS for free or opt for the commercial version for $57 per month (Jun. 22). Some of its clients include Toyota and Bosch.

2. PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is a free, object-relational, open-source tool for building complex database structures. What's more, it has been in business for over 30 years. Some of its features are database replication and disaster recovery. Also, it includes extensibility and support for many languages and international character sets. Further, this database environment runs in several operating systems, including Linux, Solaris, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and FreeBSD.

3. Knack

Launched in 2010, Knack is an online database. With Knack, you can structure, connect, and extend data through a simple UI without coding. It also offers mobile access, pre-created templates, and support for many languages. Some of Knack's clients include Spotify, Harvard University, and HP. This DBMS provides a 14-day free trial, after which paid plans start at $39 monthly (Jun. 22).

4. MySQL

It is an open-source relational database management system. MySQL increases the database's scalability and security, and it's business-oriented. Moreover, it has technical support and robust back-up and recovery facilities. Furthermore, it's easy to learn and flexible to create custom databases. Also, you can integrate them with the Apache Web Engine. Some of its clients include Booking.com, Dropbox, and GitHub. MySQL offers many features to fulfill various business and technical requirements. As for June 2022, Its prices range from $2,000 to $10,000.

5. Oracle

According to its website, it's "the world's leading converged, multi-model database management system." Oracle database management system provides pluggable databases, secure data management, and smart suggestions. The software is flexible, efficient, has outstanding performance, and is cost-effective. Among Oracle customers, Motorola Solutions, Zoom, and Samsonite are among them. Further, it aims at established companies; costs depend on the business type and size.

6. Microsoft SQL

It's one of the most popular RDBMS out there. Microsoft SQL Server offers excellent performance and query-improved real-time processing. Moreover, it has automatic plan correction and back-up and recovery facilities. The software works on Windows, Linux, and Docker. Clients include Itau and the NBA. You can get this database server's Express and Developer versions for free. After that, paid plans start at $209 (Jun. 22).

Why is Database Management Software Important?

● Data Sharing. DBMS allows all employees across a company to access and manage its data.

● Data Security. Good Database Software improves the security of your data. As a result, it reduces the chances of breaches. Also, you can give users different access levels, with some of them only able to read data and not change it.

● Back-Up Data. Database Management Systems makes it easy to back up data from one location.

● Data Relations. If you have significant amounts of data, you need ways to relate and organize it. Database Systems are great for doing this. Also, they prepare reliable analyses and statistics from it.

● Data Consistency. Having different versions of data stored in other places leads to inconsistency. With Database Software, everyone will have access to the same data. That's because software is capable of detecting and removing any data inconsistency.

● Reliable Searches. DBMS saves time. As a result, you don't have to go through an entire database for specific information. Moreover, this also leads to increases in productivity.

● Decision-Making. Database Software makes your data transparent and accessible. Thus, teams can generate higher-quality information. Also, you'll have a sound base for your decision-making process.

Conclusion

Database software makes life easier when managing large amounts of data. It's an excellent tool for processing data to meet business requirements. Meanwhile, it saves valuable time you can apply to more critical tasks. We hope this article has given a helpful overview of Database Administration tools and encouraged you to get one! Further, we aim to be beneficial when deciding which type best suits your business growth.