What is the Difference Between DBMS and RDBMS?

DBMS (Database Management System) is a software tool that manages databases, while RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) is a type of DBMS that organizes data into tables with predefined relationships. Unlike DBMS, RDBMS ensures data integrity through constraints and enforces ACID properties (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) for transactions. Let’s understand more DBMS and RDMS differences.

A database is a collection of structured information or data stored in a computer system. We need DBMS (Database Management System) and RDBMS (Relational Database Management system) to manage a database. DBMS enables us to collect, store, process, and retrieve data, while RDMS is an advanced version. In this post, we will learn more about these two software systems. We will also compare DBMS and RDBMS to understand their difference.

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Table of Content

• What is Data?
• Understanding Database
• What is a DBMS (Database Management System )?
• What is an RDBMS (Relational Database Management System)?
• Difference between DBMS and RDBMS?

Before we dive into understanding the difference between DBMS and RDBMS, let us explore the meaning of data, database, DBMS, and RDBMS.

What is Data?

Data is a collection of different pieces of information. It is a collection of facts, such as numbers, measurements, observations, etc. Data could include information about any object in consideration.

For example, a person’s name, age, height, phone number, email, etc. Data can also include an image, file, pdf, etc. The phone numbers saved in your phone’s contact list are also a form of data.

What is a Database?

Database refers to a systematic or organized collection of structured information. A database is stored and manipulated electronically in a computer system. We can control a database using a database management system (DBMS).

In your phone’s contact list, all the names, phone numbers, email addresses, and other information are organised. We can easily access and edit any data at any time. This organized collection is known as a Database.

What is DBMS (Database Management System)?

DBMS, or a Database Management System, is computer software that allows users to store, manage, update, retrieve, and secure a database. It helps create and maintain data and enables the individual business application to extract the desired data. DBMS (Database Management System) was first introduced in 1960 by Charles W. Bachman to store data.

A DBMS serves as an interface between the data and the software application. It takes the request for data from an application and tells the operating system to provide the required data. In large systems, a DBMS enables users and other third-party software to store and retrieve data.

Why Use DBMS?

• Helps in maintaining data uniformity
• Ensures effective data integration
• Increases productivity of the end-user
• Facilitates quick decision-making
• Efficiently handles large sets of data
• Improves data sharing and data security
• DBMS are versatile – we can access them on computers, tablets, and mobile devices.

What is an RDBMS (Relational Database Management System)?

Created in the 1970s, RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) is an advanced version of a DBMS. It enables users to access data more efficiently than DBMS.

A relational database is a type of database that stores data in a well-organized arrangement (in tables), consisting of rows and columns. It uses a structure that allows users to identify and access data in relation to other data in the database.

A relational database management system (RDBMS) allows users to create, update, and administer a relational database. Many relational database management systems use SQL (Structured Query Language) to access the database.

Why Use RDBMS?

1. Easy usability
2. Allows database administrators to control activities over the database
3. Can handle huge quantities of data uniformly
4. Offers data safety, it helps against sudden system power failures and accidental shutdown.
5. Concurrent Access – database can be accessed from multiple connections (user) at a time.

Also Read: Difference Between Internet and Intranet

Also read: Database and SQL Online Courses & Certification

Difference between DBMS and RDBMS

Now let us explore the differences between DBMS vs RDBMS.

Conclusion

This article tried to explore the difference between DBMS and RDBMS. We learned that the main difference between DBMS and RDBMS is that DBMS is software that stores and manages data. RDBMS is an advanced version of DBMS. DBMS uses the file format and does not have relational elements. On the other hand, RDBMS software uses a table format where headers are columns and values are rows.