Difference Between DBMS and File System
File system and DBMS (Database Management System) are two paths that could be used to manage, store, retrieve and manipulate data. A file system is a collection of raw data files stored on the hard drive while DBMS is a package of applications that is devoted to direct the data stored in databases. This is the integrated system used to direct digital databases, which allows storage of database content, creation / maintenance of data, search and other functionalities. Both systems can be used to allow the user to work with data in a similar manner. A file system is one of the first ways to manage data. But because of the disadvantage of using the file system to store electronic data, the database management systems came to use later, as they provide mechanisms to address these issues. But it should be noted that even in a DBMS, data is eventually (physically) stored in a kind of files.
File system
As mentioned above, in a typical file system electronic data directly stored in a set of files. If only one table is stored in a file, they are called flat files. They contain values at each row separated with a special delimiter such as commas. To question some random data, first it is required to analyze each position and load it into an array at run time. But because this file should be read consecutively (because there are no control mechanisms on file), so it’s very disorganized and time consuming. The user has to find necessary documents, check for existence of certain data remember to edit the records etc. This is a huge burden on them. Hence, the user either performs each task manually or writes a script that makes them automatically using the file management capabilities of the operating system. Because of these reasons, file systems are easily vulnerable to serious publications such as incoherence, the inability for concurrency, data isolation, threats to the integrity and lack of security.
DBMS
DBMS, sometimes just called a database manager, is a collection of computer programs that is dedicated to the management (that is to say the organization, storage and recovery) of all databases that are installed in a system (that is to say the hard drive or network). There are different types of database management systems existing in the world and some of them are designed for the proper management of databases configured for specific purposes. Most popular commercial Database Management Systems are Oracle, DB2 and Microsoft Access. All these products provide a means for allocating different levels of privileges for different users, making it possible for a DBMS to be controlled by a central administrator or simply be allocated to several different people. There are four important elements in any database management system. They are the modeling language, data structures, query language and mechanism for transactions. Each database language in DBMS is defined by modeling language. Presently there are many approaches as hierarchal, network, relational and object. The assistance data structures organize the data as individual files, folders, fields and their definitions and objects such as visual mass media. Data Query Language maintains the security of the database by checking login data and accessing rights and protocols to different users. SQL is a query language that is used in delivery systems of relational database. Finally, the mechanism that takes into account transactions with the agreement and multiplicity will ensure that the same record will not be changed by multiple users at the same time maintaining the integrity of data in tact. Additionally, DBMS provide backup and other advantages as well too. With all these developments in the area, DBMS solves most problems of file systems, mentioned above.
The difference between DBMS and file system
In the file system, files are used to store data while the collections of databases are used to store data in DBMS. Although the file system and DBMS are two ways to manage data, DBMS has many clear advantages over file systems. Characteristically using a file system, most tasks such as storage, collection and research are done manually and it is quite stunning when a DBMS will provide automated methods to perform these tasks. Because of this reason, using a file system will cause problems such as integrity of data, inconsistent data and data security, but we could avoid these problems by using a DBMS. Unlike the file system, DBMS are effective because the reading line by line is not required and some controls are in place.