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Database Classifications

Database management systems can be classified in several ways: 1) By data model used (relational, entity-relationship, object-based, semistructured); 2) By number of users (single-user or multi-user); and 3) By database distribution (centralized, distributed either homogeneously or heterogeneously).

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Bhiea Mische Matilac
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279 views

Database Classifications

Database management systems can be classified in several ways: 1) By data model used (relational, entity-relationship, object-based, semistructured); 2) By number of users (single-user or multi-user); and 3) By database distribution (centralized, distributed either homogeneously or heterogeneously).

Uploaded by

Bhiea Mische Matilac
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Database Classifications

Classification of database management


system
• Is based on various parameters such as the kind of data model used to
construct the DBMS, the number of users that will be using the
database system, the way in which the database is distributed. In the
section ahead, we will be discussing all the criteria on which the
database system can be classified.
Classification of Database Management
System
• Based on data model
• Based on number of users
• Based on databased distribution
• Based on cost of database
• Based on usage
• Based on flow control
Based on Data Model
• The data model defines the physical and logical structure of a database
which involves the data types, the relationship among the data, constraints
applied on the data and even the basic operations specifying retrieval and
updation of data in the database.
• Relational Data Model - In the relational data model, we use tables to
represent data and the relationship among that data. Each of the tables in
the relational data model has a unique name.
• Entity-Relationship Model - The Entity-Relationship model (E-R data
model) represents data using objects and the relationship among these
objects. These objects are referred to as entities that represent the real
‘thing’ or ‘object’ in the real world
• Object-Based Data Model - Nowadays, object-oriented programming
such as Java, C++, etc. is widely used to develop most of the software.
This motivated the development of an object-based data model. The
object-based data model is an extension of the E-R model which also
include notion for encapsulation, methods.
• Semistructured Data Model - The semistructured data model is
different from what we have studied above. In the semistructured data
model, the data items or objects of the same kind might have a
different set of attributes. The Extensible Markup Language represents
the semistructured data.
Classification Based on Number of Users
• The database management system can also be classified on the basis of
its user. So, a DBMS can either be used by a single user or it can be
used by multiple users.  The database system that can be used by a
single user at a time is referred to as a single-user system and the
database system that can be used by multiple users at a time is referred
to as a multiple user system.
Based on Database Distribution
• Centralized DBMS - In the centralized DBMS, the entire database is stored in
a single computer site. Though the centralized database support multiple users
still the DBMS software and the data both are stores on a single computer site.
• Distributed DBMS - In the distributed DBMS (DDBMS) the database and the
DBMS software are distributed over many computer sites. These computer
sites are connected via a computer network. The DDBMS is further classified
as homogeneous DDBMS and heterogeneous DDBMS.
• Homogeneous DDBMS: The homogeneous DDBMS has the same DBMS
software at all the distributed sites.
• Heterogeneous DDBMS: The heterogeneous DDBMS has different DBMS
software for different sites.
Based on Cost of Database
• The large systems along with the components that can handle
distribution of database, replication of database, parallel processing,
mobile capability and so on can be sold in the form of licenses. The
site license allows unlimited use while another kind of license limits
the number of concurrent licenses.
Classification Based on Usage
• On the basis of the access path that is used to store the files, the
database can be classified as general-purpose DBMS and special-
purpose DBMS. The special-purpose DBMS is the one that is
designed for a specific application and it can not be used for another
application without performing any major changes we refer to this as
online transaction processing (OLTP). 
Based on Flow Control
• Based upon the flow of control from application to DBMS the
database management system is broadly classified into two types
active database management system and passive database management
system. Let us discuss each in brief.
• With the passive database management system, the user needs to
specify the query to the current state of the database system to retrieve
the desired information. It is similar to traditional DBMS where the
user or the application program is responsible to initiate the operation.

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