View of Data, Schemas & Instances and Data Models

DBMS is a collection of interrelated data and a set of programs that allow users to access and
modify the interrelated data. The major purpose of DBMS using DBMS is providing an abstract
view of the data is the major purpose of DBMS. Data must be retrieved efficiently from the
systems in order the system to be usable. This has led the designers to use complex data
structures for data representation in the database. Complexity of the development is hidden from
the users who use the database using the concept of abstraction. The purpose of using such
abstraction is to simply users e interaction with the system.
There are three levels of abstractions. They are
Physical level! "owest level and describes how the data are actually stored. #t describes in
detail what complex data structures are needed to store the data on dis$.
Logical Level! This is the middle level of abstraction. #ts purpose is to describe what data are
stored in the database and what relationships exist among those data. This level describe the
entire database in simple structure. %f course each simple structure at logical level may use
complex physical level structures. &sers who use logical level need not worry about or need not
$now about this representation of physical structure. 'enerally what information need to put in
the database is decided by administrators using this logical level.
The ability to change scheme definition at one level without changing schema definition at the
next higher level is termed as Data #ndependence.
Logical data independence: The ability to change scheme definition conceptual level without
changing the scheme definition at the view level is termed as logical data independence.
(hysical data independence! The ability to change scheme definition at physical level without
changing the scheme definition at the conceptual level is termed as physical data independence.
View level! This is the highest level of abstraction used to describe only small part of the
database. Most of the users who use the database need to $now only part of the database only.
This abstraction simplifies the users interaction with the system . That means view describes
only part of the data at logical level. )lso different views for different users possible for same
database. *or example+ Student address not visible to person computing grades based on the
mar$s secured in different tests. So here the address of the student is not important in deciding
grades.
#nstance and schema ! ) collection of information stored in the database at a particular point in
time is termed as an #nstance of the database. The complete design of the database is called the
database schema. Changes in schema is very rarely changed and it is more or less permanent
whereas the instance of the database schema change when new information is added or deleted.
Database system can several schemas+ partitioned into levels of abstraction.
Data Models: The logical model is the heart of the database. The logical model is the heart of
the database. ) good logical design is easy to implement and supports the desired external views.
&sing data model+ we can describe the design of database at all three levels+ namely+ physical+
conceptual and logical levels.
,elational+ networ$ and hierarchical data models belong to record based $ind. -, model is of
semantic data model. .ierarchical data model uses the a tree structure to hold data in its nodes or
segments. -ach occurrence of the structure begins with the root node. The entire database
extension consists of multiple occurrences of the tree each of which starts with an occurrence of
the root node.
The networ$ model uses a networ$ or plex structure which consists of nodes and branches.
&nli$e a tree a networ$ allows a node to have more than one parent or owner node o which it is
dependent. (ointers are used to represent relationships in the networ$ model. /etwor$ and
hierarchical data models are very close to implementation and complicates the tas$ of modeling
data.
,elational Data Model! This model uses a collection of tables for representing data and the
relationships among the data. Tables are termed as relations. -ach table is associated with fixed
set of fields and types. More details about this model will be discussed in subse0uent lectures.
) DBMS based on the relational data model is termed as ,elational DBMS. ) ,DBMS not only
manages the data but also responsible+ but not limited to+ for managing the following important
functions!
a1 Managing of data and relationships stored in the database. System creates data dictionary as a
user created database. Data dictionary is a system oriented dictionary and stores metadata 2 data
about data1. #nformation about tables names+ attribute names+ data types+ physical space+
relationships+ and so on are part of this meta data.
b1 DBMS system manages the day 3 day transactions
c1 DBMS system allows the users to specify validation rules. -nforcing only possible values for
sex are only male2 M1 and female 2*1 for attribute S-4 is an example for validation rule. &sers
can set validation rules to $eep incorrect values for being accepted. That means we can enforce
only correct values to enter into the database.
d1 )ccess through passwords+ encryption and restricted user rights are possible using DBMS.
e1 (rovides mechanism to use bac$up and recovery procedures for physical security of data is
another function which is important in DBMS.
f1 Sharing of data with data loc$ing possibilities is allowed in DBMS
g1 DBMS transforms logical re0uests to match physical data structures is ta$en care very well in
DBMS.
There are two types of data independence. These are useful for insulating the applications
There are two types of logical models. ,elational+ networ$ and hierarchical data models belong
to record based type and the other $ind of model is of type semantic data model. -ntity
,elationship model belong to semantic data model.
Database Languages: To specify the database schema+ Data definition language is used and
data manipulation language is used to write 0ueries and update the data stored in the database. #n
fact both are part of the most widely used 0uery language called Structured 5uery "anguage.
6arious types of access possible are retrieval information from the database+ inserting new
information into the database+ deleting the existing information from the database and
modification of information that present in the database. There are two types of DM"s. %ne is
called procedural+ which re0uire a user to specify what data are needed and how to get those
data. The other one is called Declarative DM"s+ in which user specify what data are needed
without specifying how to get those data. ,elational algebra and relational calculus are
theoretical languages where as S5"+ 5&-"+ are of commercial 0uery languages. #n subse0uent
lectures+ we study more about relational algebra+ relational calculus and S5" in detail for 0uery
writing and how to get the data from the database.