The difference between DBMS (Database Management System) and RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) lies in their approach to storing, managing, and organizing data. Here’s a detailed comparison:
| Aspect | DBMS | RDBMS |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A software system for storing and managing data in a database. | A type of DBMS that organizes data into related tables (using relationships). |
| Data Structure | Stores data in files without enforcing relationships. | Stores data in tabular form (rows and columns) with relationships between tables. |
| Normalization | May not support normalization of data. | Fully supports normalization to reduce redundancy. |
| Relationships | No or limited support for relationships between data. | Implements relationships using primary and foreign keys. |
| Query Language | May use custom APIs or basic query support. | Uses Structured Query Language (SQL) for querying and managing data. |
| Data Integrity | Limited or no data integrity constraints. | Enforces data integrity through constraints like primary keys, foreign keys, and unique keys. |
| Scalability | Suitable for small-scale systems or single-user applications. | Designed for large-scale systems with multiple concurrent users. |
| Transactions | May not support ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) properties. | Fully supports ACID properties for reliable transactions. |
| Examples | File systems, XML databases, and some hierarchical DBs. | MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, and SQLite. |
| Usage | Best for simple applications with minimal data interdependencies. | Ideal for complex systems where data relationships and constraints are crucial. |
Here are examples of DBMS and RDBMS systems:
Hierarchical Databases:
Network Databases:
NoSQL Databases (some also fall under non-relational DBMS):
File Systems:
Commercial RDBMS:
Open-Source RDBMS:
Lightweight RDBMS: