Data Base Design

A decade ago, database was unique to large corporations with mainframes. Today it is recognized as a standard of MIS and is available for virtually every size of computer. Before the data base concept became operational users had programs that handled their own data independent of other users. It was a conventional file environment with no data integration or sharing of common data across applications. In a data base environment, common data are available and used by several users. Instead of each program (or user) managing its own data, data across api1ication are shared by authorized users with the data base software managing the data as an entity. A program now requests data through the data base management system (DBMS), which detem1ines data sharing.