Limitations of file based system, Database Management System

Assignment Help:

Limitations of File Based System

The file-based system has some limitations. The limitations are listed as follows:

  • Isolation and separation of data: When the data is stored in separate files it becomes complex to access. It becomes very complex when the data has to be retrieved from more than two files as a large amount of data has to be looked for.
  • Duplication of data: Because of the decentralised approach, the file system varies to uncontrolled duplication of data. This is disagreeable as the duplication leads to wastage of a lot of storage space. It also money and cost times to enter the data more than once. For instance, the address information of student may have to be duplicated in bus list file data.
  • Inconsistent Data: The data in a file system can become inconsistent if more than one person changes the data simultaneously, for example, if any student changes the residence and the change is notified to only his/her file and not to bus list. Putting wrong data is also another reason for inconsistencies.
  • Data dependence: The physical structure and storage of data files and records are distinct in the application code. This means that it is very difficult to make changes to the existing structure. The programmer would have to recognize all the affected programs, change them and retest them. This characteristic of the File Based system is known as program data dependence.
  • Incompatible File Formats: As the structure of the files is embedded in application programs, the structure is fully dependent on application programming languages. Therefore the structure of a file generated by COBOL programming language may be quite dissimilar from a file generated by 'C' programming language. This incompatibility makes them hard to process together. The application developer may have to develop software to change the files to some common format for processing. Though, this may be time consuming and expensive.
  • Fixed Queries: File based systems are very much dependent on application programs. Any report or query needed by the organisation has to be developed by the application programmer. With type, the time, and number of queries or reports increases. Producing dissimilar types of queries or reports is not possible in File Based Systems. As a result, in some organisations the kind of queries or reports to be produced is fixed. No latest query or report of the data could be produced.

Besides the above, the maintenance of the File Based System is complex and there is no provision for security. Recovery is non-existent or inadequate.


Related Discussions:- Limitations of file based system

Define the unique constraints for the table client, Define the following co...

Define the following constraints for the table client. (i) BAL_DUE must be at least 1000. (ii) NAME is a unique key. (i)ALTER TABLE CLIENT ADD CONSTRAINT CLIENT_BAL_DUE_C1

Sparse and dense indexes, Sparse and Dense Indexes These indexes in pri...

Sparse and Dense Indexes These indexes in principle are the similar as that of indexes used at the back of the book. The key facts of the indexes are: They are arranged

Define the attribute inheritance, Define the Attribute Inheritance The ...

Define the Attribute Inheritance The attributes of a higher level entity set are inherited through a lower level entity set made by specialization-generalization hierarchy. Nam

Physical model of traffic data management, After the completion of the logi...

After the completion of the logical model the physical model is to be made. The oracle 10 G will be used as a database server and all the tables with their column are created and i

Define cardinality and participation constraints, Define cardinality and pa...

Define cardinality and participation constraints on a relationship type, completeness constraint on generalization.        Ans: Cardinality defines the number of entities to wh

Define about the stored procedure, Define about the Stored Procedure - ...

Define about the Stored Procedure - It's a set of T-SQL statements combined together to perform a single task formed by combining numerous small tasks. - When you essentiall

Approachs of database management system, The Database Approach In ord...

The Database Approach In order to overcome the limits of a file system, a new approach was needed. Hence a database approach emerged. A database is a persistent collection of

Database recovery and security, Database Recovery And Security Introdu...

Database Recovery And Security Introduction In this part we will introduce two main issues relating to database management systems. A computer system suffers from dissi

Working and processing files, 1.  Define each of the following IN YOUR OWN ...

1.  Define each of the following IN YOUR OWN WORDS: (a)   File: (b)   Record: (c)   Field: (d)   Primary Key: (e)   Secondary Key: 2.  A travel agency wants t

Related fields in a database are grouped in which form, Related fields in a...

Related fields in a database are grouped in which form? Related data fields in a database are grouped to form a data record. (A record is a collection of related fields)

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd