A database is a collection of related data, typically describing the activities of one or more related organizations. Properties: 1.

A database represents some aspect of the real world. 2. A database is logically coherent collection of data with some inherent meaning. 3. A database is designed, built and populated with data for specific purpose. A Database Management System or DBMS is a collection of programs that enables users to create and maintain a database. In general, a DBMS is a general purpose software system that facilitates the processes of defining, constructing and manipulating databases for various applications. Defining a database involves specifying the data types, structures and constraints for the data to be stored in the db. Constructing the database is the process of storing the data itself on some storage medium that is controlled by the DBMS. Manipulating a database includes such functions as querying the database to retrieve specific data, updating the database to reflect changes in the miniworld and generating reports from the data. A database and DBMS software working together is a database system. Characteristic of a database approach 1. Self-describing nature of a database system a. System catalogue: contains information such as the structure of each file, the type and storage format of each data item and various constraints on the data. b. Metadata: information stored in the catalogue. 2. Insulation between programs and data, and data abstraction a. Program-data independence b. Program-operation independence c. Data abstraction 3. Support of multiple views of data 4. Sharing of data and multiuser transaction processing