What are the advantages and disadvantages of a database system?

Question

Are there any flaws? what can go wrong? what are the the real good things a database can do? Appreciate your answers....thank you.

Answer 1

As opposed to what?

Answer 2

For all data storage, enquiry/stock cross reference, supplier/customer records a database is the only choice.

Finding records is very easy in a database using fixed or operator selected filters which take time depending on the processing speed and number of records or index searches which give instant results but are less comprehensive.

A relational database can be used for book keeping and accountancy too but in this case accounting personel often prefer to use a spreadsheet because of increased flexibility and instant recalculation of columns.

For example if you maintain a bank statement in a database you will usually have to close the transaction group and return to the header for recalculating running totals of each transaction after adding, editing or deleting records. A spreadsheet will recalculate following cells instantly after any changes to existing records.

The good thing that a database can do is to give all the hard work to the programmer or developer enabling them to produce a final interface which can require no knowledge at all of how the program works for data input and manipulation.

Answer 3

Scalability!

If you are storing a handful of items in a list format, a text file is fine to store them in. The time it takes to find the data you need in the text file will be minimal.
But if you have anything larger than that to store, you will need a relational database. The database can search for data in multiple large tables quickly and efficiently.
There can always be flaws. Programmers are prone to error, but using a database is a much less error-prone than searching through multiple text files. If your program is well tested, there should be few problems.

Answer 4

With open source systems anyone can grab hold of the code and compromise the security of any database using that management system. However proprietary systems usually cost more.

Answer 5

Biggest and most common advantage: organization

Disadvantage: maintaning the database.

Overall, relation database is the way you want to store your information.

Answer 6

like every other user has said to me: do your own homework but even though I agree I liek getting answers so here (and if its not homework then sorry my mistake)

fast, accurate, reliable, no need to write things out, less space, no crashes

if theres an error it may take ages to figure out what it is