Evolution of DBMS

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A Flat file database is a database that stores data in a single file (such as .txt or .ini). One record is held in each line of the text file with fields separated by delimiters. There is no structural relationship between the records. A list of names, CNIC number, address and phone numbers written on a piece of paper or typed using a type writer or word processor is a flat file database.

This database file system stores all data in a single directory. There are no folders or paths used to organize the data. This is a simple way of storing files yet this file system becomes increasingly inefficient as more data is fed. While it uses simple structure, this database file system cannot have multiple tables. The first Apple Macintosh 128K computer used this kind of file system known as the Macintosh File System (MFS).

Hierarchical – 1970s - 1990s

This data model organizes data is a tree-like structure similar to the organizational structure. This structure allows the repetition of information using parent/child relationship. One-to-many relationship is created as one parent can have many children but a child belongs to only one parent. This model is the first data base model created by IBM in 1966. It was used in Information Management System (IMS) developed by IBM. Later Microsoft employed it in Windows Registry. This data model replaced the Flat file database system because it was more fast and simple but inflexible as the relationship was restricted to one-to-many.

Network – 1970s - 1990s

Network Database model is conceived as a more flexible model as compared to the Hierarchical model as it can have many-to-many relationship between the children and the parents. Its schema is viewed as a graph in which object types a...

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... idea of web-enabled database server was introduced.

Take the example of a student posting a question in his university forum. The student can look up the university forum archive to check whether or not this question has been raised earlier or alternatively a query could be initiated by the server. If a question of similar nature is not found in the database, the student can raise it. Otherwise he/she can refine its question to address the area not covered in the existing database. This forms an intelligent and dynamic information flow.

Works Cited

http://searchoracle.techtarget.com/definition/object-oriented-database-management-system

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Object_database

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Object-relational_database

http://www.unixspace.com/context/databases.html

http://consulting.gbdirect.co.uk/online_and_web_enabled_databases.html

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