Classification of Database Management Systems

1. Classification based on data model

2. Classification based on number of users
i. Single User Database System
ii. Multi-User Database System
3. Classification based on database distribution
a. Centralized systems
b. Distributed database system
i. Homogeneous distributed database systems
ii. Heterogeneous distributed database systems

Classification based on number of users

A DBMS can be classification based on the number of users it supports. It can be a single-
user database system, which supports one user at a time, or a multiuser database system,
which supports multiple users concurrently.

Single User Database Systems: In this DBMS, at one time, only a single user can access
the database. Hence, the user can use all the resources at all times. All these systems are
used for personal usage, such as personal computer experience. In this type of DBMS, both
the physical and application layer can be used by the user.

Multi-User Database Systems: These DBMSs support two or more two users accessing the
database simultaneously. Multi-user systems contain all the mini-computers and mainframe
computers. In a mainframe computer, the database may exist on a single computer, and in
other computers, the database may be distributed on multiple computers. Multiple users can
update data while working together simultaneously. Most DBMSs are multi-user, like
databases of airline reservation systems, banking databases, etc.

Classification based on database distribution

In a distributed database model, there are a number of databases that may be geographically
distributed all over the world. A distributed DBMS manages the distributed database in a
manner so that it appears as one single database to users.

A distributed database is a collection of multiple interconnected databases, which are spread

physically across various locations that communicate via a computer network.
1. Centralized System
With a centralized database system, the DBMS and database are stored at a single site that is
used by several other systems too.

2. Distributed database system

In a distributed database system, the actual database and the DBMS software are distributed
from various sites that are connected by a computer network.
Homogeneous distributed database systems
Homogeneous distributed database systems use the same DBMS software from multiple
sites. Data exchange between these various sites can be handled easily. For example, library
information systems by the same vendor, such as Geac Computer Corporation, use the same
DBMS software which allows easy data exchange between the various Geac library sites.

Heterogeneous distributed database systems

In a heterogeneous distributed database system, different sites might use different DBMS
software, but there is additional common software to support data exchange between these
sites. For example, the various library database systems use the same machine-readable
cataloguing (make a systematic list of items of the same type) (MARC) format to support
library record data exchange.

Distributed Database Management System

A distributed database management system (DDBMS) is a centralized software system that
manages a distributed database in a manner as if it were all stored in a single location.
Features
 It is used to create, retrieve, update and delete distributed databases.
 It synchronizes the database periodically and provides access mechanisms by the
virtue of which the distribution becomes transparent to the users.
 It ensures that the data modified at any site is universally updated.
 It is used in application areas where large volumes of data are processed and accessed
by numerous users simultaneously.
 It is designed for heterogeneous database platforms.
 It maintains confidentiality and data integrity of the databases.

Factors Encouraging DDBMS

The following factors encourage moving over to DDBMS −
 Distributed Nature of Organizational Units − Most organizations in the current
times are subdivided into multiple units that are physically distributed over the globe.
Each unit requires its own set of local data. Thus, the overall database of the
organization becomes distributed.
 Need for Sharing of Data − The multiple organizational units often need to
communicate with each other and share their data and resources. This demands
common databases or replicated databases that should be used in a synchronized
manner.
 Support for Both OLTP and OLAP − Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) and
Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) work upon diversified systems which may have
common data. Distributed database systems aid both these processing by providing
synchronized data.
 Database Recovery − One of the common techniques used in DDBMS is replication
of data across different sites. Replication of data automatically helps in data recovery if
database in any site is damaged. Users can access data from other sites while the
damaged site is being reconstructed. Thus, database failure may become almost
inconspicuous to users.
Advantages of Distributed Databases
Following are the advantages of distributed databases over centralized databases.
Modular Development − If the system needs to be expanded to new locations or new units,
in centralized database systems, the action requires substantial efforts and disruption in the
existing functioning. However, in distributed databases, the work simply requires adding
new computers and local data to the new site and finally connecting them to the distributed
system, with no interruption in current functions.
More Reliable − In case of database failures, the total system of centralized databases
comes to a halt. However, in distributed systems, when a component fails, the functioning of
the system continues may be at a reduced performance. Hence DDBMS is more reliable.
Better Response − If data is distributed in an efficient manner, then user requests can be
met from local data itself, thus providing faster response. On the other hand, in centralized
systems, all queries have to pass through the central computer for processing, which
increases the response time.
Lower Communication Cost − In distributed database systems, if data is located locally
where it is mostly used, then the communication costs for data manipulation can be
minimized. This is not feasible in centralized systems.

Disadvantages
Need for complex and expensive software − DDBMS demands complex and often
expensive software to provide data transparency and co-ordination across the several sites.
Processing overhead − Even simple operations may require a large number of
communications and additional calculations to provide uniformity in data across the sites.
Data integrity − The need for updating data in multiple sites pose problems of data
integrity.
Overheads for improper data distribution − Responsiveness of queries is largely
dependent upon proper data distribution. Improper data distribution often leads to very slow
response to user requests.

Object Oriented Data Model

To represent the complex real world problems there was a need for a data model that is
closely related to real world. Object Oriented Data Model represents the real world problems
easily.
In Object Oriented Data Model, data and their relationships are contained in a single
structure which is referred as object in this data model. In this, real world problems are
represented as objects with different attributes. All objects have multiple relationships
between them. Basically, it is combination of Object Oriented.
It is an approach that is combine with the relational database with object oriented
programming features.
Everything is represented as object.
Examples
Shape, Circle, Rectangle and Triangle are all objects in this model.
Circle has the attributes Center and Radius.
Rectangle has the attributes Length and Breath
Triangle has the attributes Base and Height.
The objects Circle, Rectangle and Triangle inherit from the object Shape

Components of Object Oriented Data Model

Objects – An object is an abstraction of a real world entity or we can say it is an instance of
class. Objects encapsulates data and code into a single unit which provide data abstraction
by hiding the implementation details from the user. For example: Instances of student,
doctor, engineer in above figure.
Attribute – An attribute describes the properties of object. For example: Object is
STUDENT and its attribute are Roll no, Branch, Setmarks() in the Student class.
Methods – Method represents the behavior of an object. Basically, it represents the real-
world action. For example: Finding a STUDENT marks in above figure as Setmarks().
Class – A class is a collection of similar objects with shared structure i.e. attributes and
behavior i.e. methods. An object is an instance of class. For example: Person, Student,
Doctor, Engineer in above figure.
Inheritance – By using inheritance, new class can inherit the attributes and methods of the
old class i.e. base class. For example: as classes Student, Doctor and Engineer are inherited
from the base class Person.

Advantages of Object Oriented Data Model :

 Codes can be reused due to inheritance.
 Easily understandable.
 Cost of maintenance can reduced due to reusability of attributes and functions because
of inheritance.
Disadvantages of Object Oriented Data Model :
 It is very complex to developed so not accepted by users easily.