File Based System - Advantages and Disadvantages

Prior to the DBMS, file based system provided by Operating system was used to store information. In a file based system, we have collection of application programs that perform services for the end users. Each program define and manages its own data.

Consider a traditional banking system that uses the file-based system to manage the organization’s data shown in Figure. As we can see, there are different departments in the bank. Each has its own applications that manage and manipulate different data files. For banking systems, the programs may be used to debit or credit an account, find the balance of an account, add a new mortgage loan and generate monthly statements.

Advantage of File-oriented system:

1. Backup:

• It is possible to take faster and automatic back-up of database stored in files of computer-based systems.
• computer systems provide functionalities to serve this purpose.it is also possible to develop specific application program for this purpose.

2. Compactness:

• It is possible to store data compactly.

3. Data Retrieval:

• Computer-based systems provide enhanced data retrieval techniques to retrieve data stored in files in easy and efficient way.

4. Editing:

• It is easy to edit any information stored in computers in form of files.
• Specific application programs or editing software can be used for this purpose.

5. Remote Access:

• In computer-based systems,it is possible to access data remotely.
• so,to access data it is not necessary for a user to remain present at location where these data are kept.

6. Sharing:

• Data stored in files of computer-based systems ca be shared among multiple users at a same time.

Disadvantage of File-oriented system:

1. Data Redundancy:

• It is possible that the same information may be duplicated in different files.this leads to data redundancy results in memory wastage.

2. Data Inconsistency:

• Because of data redundancy,it is possible that data may not be in consistent state.

3. Difficulty in Accessing Data:

• Accessing data is not convenient and efficient in file processing system.

4. Limited Data Sharing:

• Data are scattered in various files.also different files may have different formats and these files may be stored in different folders may be of different departments.
• So, due to this data isolation, it is difficult to share data among different applications.

5. Integrity Problems:

• Data integrity means that the data contained in the database in both correct and consistent.for this purpose the data stored in database must satisfy correct and constraints.

6. Atomicity Problems:

• Any operation on database must be atomic.
• this means, it must happen in its entirely or not at all.

7. Concurrent Access Anomalies:

• Multiple users are allowed to access data simultaneously.this is for the sake of better performance and faster response.

8. Security Problems:

• Database should be accessible to users in limited way.
• Each user should be allowed to access data concerning his requirements only.

Sources:
1. opentextbc.ca
2.tutorialink.com