In the era of Digital Transformation, 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 Managements Systems or Software, it was the tool created to solve this issue. This article will cover Database Software's definition, what it does, and its features. 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 a Database Management Software?
Database Management Software (DBMS) is a crucial tool that enables users to create and manage databases efficiently. It provides a wide range of functionalities, such as creating, storing, retrieving, and updating data, 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 sets, and perform complex queries to extract specific information. In addition, DBMS offers features such as backup and recovery, data replication, and access control to ensure the integrity and availability of the data. All in all, 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!
Database Management Software (DBMS) Functions
One of DBMS' most crucial functions is creating backups, which ensures data remains secure 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, particularly useful in collaborative environments. DBMS also offers control over different access levels, ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive data. Lastly, DBMS provides User Interfaces (UIs) that enable users to work effortlessly with the data stored in the system.
Database Management Software (DBMS) Features
1. Data Integrity: One of DBMS' most important features is data integrity. This software ensures that the data is accurate and consistent and that there are 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 is not lost due to system crashes or other hardware failures.
3. Data Structuring: DBMS helps to organize data in a logical and meaningful way, 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 to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or theft, such as authentication, authorization, encryption, and auditing.
5. Database Customization: This software allows users to customize databases to meet their specific 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, ensuring it's always available when needed. This is important for businesses that need to access historical data for reporting and analysis purposes.
7. Data-Based Reporting: With DBMS, users can create reports based on the database stored data. These reports can be customized to meet specific requirements and can be used for a variety of 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, which can save 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: By using Database Management Software, users can define rules and constraints for data entry and storage, ensuring accurate and consistent data.
4 Main Database Management Software (DBMS) Types
1. Hierarchical DBMS
First developed by IBM, these store data through a parent-child model. Inhere, 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 examples 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 and Raina Database Manager.
3. Relational DBMS
In this case, the relationship between data is relational. 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 it's more flexible than hierarchical and network databases, it's pretty popular. As a differential, Relational database software has its specific programming language. This receives the name Structured Query Language (SQL). Some examples 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). Inhere, entities translate to objects instead of rows and columns. After this, they get stored in memory. In Object-Oriented Database Software, objects have members like fields, methods, and properties. This DBMS is compatible with many programming languages, such as C++ and Java.
What is the Best Database Management Software (DBMS)?
There are countless database management systems to choose from, depending on your needs. We chose our top seven DBMSs and will go over them below. Nonetheless, remember that there are several other options!
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, it offers 24/7 support and reliable backup and recovery methods. You can try this DBMS for free or opt for the Dedicated Plan for $57 per month (Jun. 22). Some of its clients include Toyota and Bosch.
2. PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL is a free and open-source object-relational database management system. 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, it runs in quite a few operating systems. These include Linux, Solaris, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and FreeBSD.
2. 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
This 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 backup and recovery facilities. Furthermore, it's easy to learn and very flexible in customization. Also, it has easy integration 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 DBMS provides pluggable databases, secure data management, and smart suggestions. The software is flexible, efficient, has outstanding performance, and is cost-effective. Among Oracle customers, there are Motorola Solutions, Zoom, and Samsonite. Further, it aims at established companies; costs depend on the business type and size.
6. MicrosoftSQL
This is one of the most popular RDBMS out there. Microsoft SQL Server offers excellent performance and improved query processing. Moreover, it has automatic plan correction and backup and recovery facilities. The software works on Windows, Linus, and Docker. Clients include Itau and the NBA. You can get the Express and Developer versions of Microsoft SQL Server for free. After that, paid plans start at $209 (Jun. 22).
7. Improvado
Improvado makes it easy to centralize your marketing and sales data. It integrates with over 200 tools, such as Google Analytics, Shopify, and Facebook Ads. Also, it can send data to visualization tools, like Google Data Studio. Other features include reduced downtime and backup software. On top of that, it has data recovery options and insightful analytics. Improvado customers include ASUS, Illy, and Ancestry, and it also offers a free trial. After that, its packages start at $100 per month, depending on specific needs.
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 your data from one location.
● Data Relations. If you have significant amounts of data, you will 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 different 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 productivity increases.
● 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 and making informed business decisions. Meanwhile, it saves valuable time that can apply to more critical tasks. We hope this article has given a helpful overview of Database Software and encouraged you to get one! Further, we aim to be beneficial when deciding which type better suits your business.
