Data Base Management Systems (DBMS): Advantages of using DBMS

There are many advantages of DBMS over files processing. The main advantage is the fact that files hold repetitive data about entities, while DBMSs can be programmed to eliminate all redundancies. Thus, having single copies of data assures the minimization of data storage. To illustrate this advantage with an example, in the file storage system, when an address of a customer or supplier was changed, someone had to modify this information in every single file that contained data about the respective entity. This represented a tedious and error prone process. DBMSs help us manage tremendous quantities of tables, inter-linked within a single system. This eliminates unnecessary redundancies and insures that change is automatically made for every single part where the information appears. For example, if a student changes his address, the DBMS will automatically change this information in all the files pertinent to that student (course selection, permanent record etc.). There are many other advantages of DBMSs over file processing, listed below:

flexibility: programs and data are independent, which makes it easier to alter software to the changes in the needs of specific organizations

fast response to information requests: because the data are organized in a single system, it is easier to process complex requests for certain information contained in the DBMS
different ways of access: DBMS allows users to access the information through various key fields, as well as using different programming languages

increase in user productivity: DBMS saves time which increases productivity; also users often find DBMS easier to use, which saves training costs.

improved data consistency

better data sharing: because of the centralized system, it is easier to control data access enforcement of standards: DBMS make it easier for the creator to enforce his standards concerning data creation, modification and deletion