Features or Characteristics of Database Approach (BCA 3rd Sem. by Jot Chahal )

1. Represent Some Aspects of real world applications

A database represents some features of real world applications. Any change in the real world is reflected in the database. If we have some changes in our real applications like railway reservation system then it will be reflected in database too.

For example, let us take railway reservation system; we have in our mind some certain applications of maintaining records of attendance, waiting list, train arrival and departure time, certain day etc. related to each train.

2. Manages Information

A database always takes care of its information because information is always helpful for whatever work we do. It manages all the information that is required to us. By managing information using a database, we become more deliberated user of our data.

3. Easy Operation implementation

All the operations like insert, delete, update, search etc. are carried out in a flexible and easy way. Database makes it very simple to implement these operations. A user with little knowledge can perform these operations. This characteristic of database makes it more powerful.

4. Multiple views of database

Basically, a view is a subset of the database. A view is defined and devoted for a particular user of the system. Different users of the system may have different views of the same system.

Every view contains only the data of interest to a user or a group of users. It is the responsibility of users to be aware of how and where the data of their interest is stored.

5. Data for specific purpose

A database is designed for data of specific purpose. For example, a database of student management system is designed to maintain the record of student’s marks, fees and attendance etc. This data has a specific purpose of maintaining student record.

6. It has Users of Specific interest

A database always has some indented group of users and applications in which these user groups are interested.

For example, in a library system, there are three users, official administration of the college, the librarian, and the students.

7. Self Describing nature

A database is of self describing nature; it always describes and narrates itself. It contains the description of the whole data structure, the constraints and the variables.

It makes it different from traditional file management system in which definition was not the part of application program. These definitions are used by the users and DBMS software when needed.

8. Logical relationship between records and data

A database gives a logical relationship between its records and data. So a user can access various records depending upon the logical conditions by a single query from the database.

9. Shelter between program and data

In traditional file management system, if any user makes changes in the structure of a file then all the programs accessed by that file needed to be changed. The structure of data files is defined by the application programs.