DATA DESIGN CONCEPTS

Data structure is a framework for organizing, storing, and managing data. Data structures consist of files or tables that interact in various ways. Each file or table contains data about people, places, things, or events. 

Depending on how the files and tables are designed, an information system is called a file-oriented system or a database management system (DBMS).

FILE-ORIENTED SYSTEM

A file-oriented system, sometimes called a file processing system, stores data in one or more separate files. Notice that the same data is stored in more than one location. This redundancy is a major disadvantage of file-oriented systems, because it reduces efficiency and data quality.

Gambar 1: menggunakan dua sistem terpisah, desain ini memerlukan data input yang sama untuk dua tempat yang berbeda.

For that relatively simple process, file processing is highly effective.

In a typical file processing environment, a company might have three departments, each with its own information system and data files.

Three potential problems exist in a file processing environment.

1. Data redundancy (that data common to two or more information systems is stored in several places). Data redundancy requires more storage space, and maintaining and updating data in several locations is expensive.
2. Data integrity problems can occur if updates are not applied in every file. Changing the data in only one of the systems will cause inconsistent data and result in incorrect information in the second system.
3. The rigid data structure of a typical file processing environment, that means retrieving information from independent, file-based systems, which is slow and inefficient.

DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Database management system (DBMS) is a collection of tools, features, and interfaces that enables users to add, update, manage, access, and analyze the contents of a set of data.

In a database management system (DBMS), all the tables are connected by common fields. A common field that connects two tables is said to link, join, or relate the tables. In a DBMS, the linked tables form a unified data structure that greatly improves data

quality and access.

Gambar 2: Desain database yang menggunakan satu tabel untuk menghindari duplikasi data input.

A properly designed database system offers a solution to the problems of file processing. In a file processing environment, data files are designed to fit individual business systems.

In contrast, in a database environment, several systems can be built around a single

database. Figure 3, shows a database environment with a database serving four

separate information systems.

Gambar 3: Sample of DBMS.

The main advantage of a DBMS is that it offers timely, interactive, and flexible data access. Specific DBMS advantages include the following:

1. Scalability, which means that a system can be expanded, modified, or downsized easily to meet the rapidly changing needs of a business enterprise.
2. Better support for client/server systems.
3. Economy of scale. If a company maintains an enterprise-wide database, processing is less expensive using a powerful mainframe server instead of using several smaller computers.

4. Flexible data sharing.
5. Enterprise-wide application. Database systems can support enterprise-wide applications more effectively than file processing systems.
6. Stronger standards.
7. Controlled redundancy.
8. Better security.
9. Increased programmer productivity.
10. Data independence. 
    
    
    
    
    Penulis: Yusia /Kaleb
    
    Referensi:
    [1] Shelly, G.B., Rosenblatt, H.J., Systems Analysis and Design Ninth Edition. Course Technology. 2012. Boston, USA.