Question

Compare and contrast the file-oriented approach and the database approach. Explain the main advantages of database systems.

Answer 1

Database systems were developed to address the proliferation of master files. This proliferation created problems such as the same data stored in two or more master files. This made it difficult to integrate and update data and to obtain an organization-wide view of data. It also created problems because the data in the different files was inconsistent.

Main advantages of database systems :

Data integration. Master files are combined into large “pools” of data that many application programs access. An example is an employee database that consolidates payroll, personnel, and job skills master files.

• Minimal data redundancy and data inconsistencies. Because data items are usually stored only once, data redundancy and data inconsistencies are minimized.

• Data independence. Because data and the programs that use them are independent of each other, each can be changed without changing the other. This facilitates programming and simplifies data management.

• Cross-functional analysis. In a database system, relationships, such as the association between selling costs and promotional campaigns, can be explicitly defined and used in the preparation of management reports.