RDBMS

Relational Database Management System

A type of database management system that organizes and stores data in a structured, tabular format using a relational model. The relational model, introduced by Edgar F. Codd in 1970, represents data as a collection of tables (or relations) consisting of rows and columns. Each row in a table represents a record (or tuple) with a unique identifier called a primary key, and each column represents an attribute or field of the data.

The key features of an RDBMS include:

• Relational Model: Data is organized in tables with rows and columns, and the relationships between tables are defined by primary and foreign keys.
• Data Integrity: RDBMS enforces data integrity rules, such as primary key uniqueness, foreign key constraints, and data validation rules, to ensure the consistency and accuracy of the data.
• Structured Query Language (SQL): RDBMS uses SQL, a standardized query language, to define, manipulate, and retrieve data from the database. SQL allows users to perform complex queries, join multiple tables, and aggregate data.
• ACID Properties: RDBMS follows Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability (ACID) properties to guarantee reliable transactions and maintain the integrity of the database even in the event of system failures or crashes.
• Concurrency Control: RDBMS provides mechanisms to handle multiple users accessing and modifying the database simultaneously, ensuring that the changes made by one user do not negatively affect other users.
• Security: RDBMS offers robust security features, including user authentication, access control, and data encryption, to protect sensitive data and restrict unauthorized access.
• Backup and Recovery: RDBMS supports backup and recovery features to safeguard data and ensure its availability in case of data loss or system failure.

Some popular RDBMSs include Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and IBM Db2. These systems are widely used for managing data in various applications, from small-scale projects to large-scale enterprise systems.

• Abbreviation: RDBMS