Database Management

Database management is a collection of programs that enables you to store, modify, and extract information from a database. There are many different types of database management systems (DBMSs), ranging from small systems that run on personal computers to huge systems that run on mainframes. Database management is essential to any operation in web 2.0. It is the common core competency for most successful web 2.0 companies. Database management systems create online database applications that collect data and manage it online. Database management is what separates web 2.0 for the old web 1.0.

How can it be used in business?

The question should be is there an area that it can't be used. Databases and database management systems can be used in almost every profession. They can be used with almost any technology. It can be used to warehouse or store data. There are mobile applications that allow data to be stored and managed in mobile devices, handheld or laptop. This is done with SQL anywhere programs. It can be used in personal businesses, country clubs, hospitals, even construction jobsites. Database management software is used by government agencies, for example the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to manage taxpayer information. Database management is used in internet businesses to manage tens of thousands of users and their information. This allows the company to process extreme amounts of transactions with ease. Database management allows companies to handle information in one location that can be accessed at any satellite location or workspace. Data management systems help to increase business intelligence by allowing managers access to specific data when it is needed to make crucial decisions.
As you can see data management makes the world go around. It is essential in business or any other area of focus.

Types of Databases:

Databases may not be familiar to you. When we need to put information into our computer to save most people rely on Microsoft MS) Word or maybe even MS Excel. Microsoft also has a database system called MS Access. There are many others available too. Are all database systems the same? Of course they aren't. There are several different types of databases. One is called a relational database. In this type of database information is stored in columns and rows. Another type of database is hierarchical. Information is stored in a tree like formation in this type of database. There is only one parent record with many sub-records under it. Network database is another type. In this model information has many parent records and many sub-records. This forms a lattice pattern. Flat database systems store information in plain text. An example of this is a basic address entry. The information it contained in a single record and different information is separated by a comma. Object-oriented databases are mainly used in multimedia applications and Java applets. There is also a type of database called a hybrid that is a combination of relational and object oriented. This database takes the best characteristics form both and combines it into one form.
Relational databases go far beyond just rows and columns. Relational database management systems are divided into 4 major classes. The first is OLTP (OnLine Transaction Processing) relational DBMS. Oracle is the flagship company for this type of system. This class of systems basically helps to facilitate and manage transaction-oriented applications; typically for data entry and retrieval transaction processing. This class of systems is simple and efficient, but it presents some issues with regard to security and high economic costs. The second class is specialty data warehouse DBMS. Teradata is the leading company that is focusing on this class. There are also many others that have products that are just as effective. This type of RDBMS has less administration and maintenance costs than the previous class. The information is usually found in traditional rows and/or columns. There are some issues with compatibility with some products. The third class of relational database management systems is mid-range relational database management systems. Most of the companies that are involved in this class fall in to one of three categories: open-source-based relational DBMS (ex.MySQL), reseller-focused relational DBMS (ex.Progress OpenEdge), or crippled "editions" of high-end systems. The final class is embedded relational database management systems. This class is tightly integrated with an application that requires access to stored data, such that the database system is "hidden" from the application's end-user and requires little or no ongoing maintenance. It is actually a broad technology category that includes database systems with differing application programming interfaces, database architectures, storage modes, database models, and target markets. Sybase SQL Anywhere is a leading product in this class.
Database management systems, like MS Access, differ from other types of programs. Unlike other types of documents, databases have a more complex programming. In MS Word or MS Excel you just type info and save it or formulate cells and then input and save. Requests for information from a database are made in the form of a query, which is a stylized question. There is a specific protocol to constructing queries. The set of rules for constructing queries is known as a query language. Different DBMSs support different query languages, although there is a semi-standardized query language called SQL (structured query language). Sophisticated languages for managing databasesystems are called fourth-generation languages, or 4GLs for short.

Database Management Languages:

SQL is a standardized query language for requesting information from a database. The original version called SEQUEL (structured English query language) was designed by an IBM research center in 1974 and 1975. SQL was first introduced as a commercial database system in 1979 by Oracle Corporation. SQL has been the favorite query language for database management systems running on minicomputers and mainframes. We are currently seeing more PC databases supporting because it supports distributed databases (databases that are spread out over several computer systems). This enables several users on a local-area network to access the same database simultaneously. There are different dialects of SQL, however, it is the closest thing to a standard query language that currently exists. After further research I found the newest standard is known as SAG SQL. SQL Access Group (SAG) was a group of software companies that was formed in 1989 to define and promote standards for database portability and interoperability. The SAG started the development of the SQL Call Level Interface which later was published as an X/Open specification. Fourth-generation languages, 4GL are programming languages closer to human languages than typical high-level programming languages. Most 4GLs are used to access databases. For example, a typical 4GL command is: FIND ALL RECORDS WHERE NAME IS "SMITH". The first generation language is machine language. The second is assembly language. The third generation is high-level programming languages, such as C, C++, and Java. The fourth generation contains languages used for artificial intelligence and neural networks.
Database management systems are full of advantages and have some disadvantages. The differences vary depending on the area of interest, program selected, and the education of the users. One thing that I did find in researching this topic is that there is a lot of complicated language and concepts involved. Education of the basic concepts is crucial in fully understanding database management systems. Database management systems are involved in all professions and are an integral part of all technology is some way.