RDBMS stands for Relational Database Management System. It is a type of DBMS that organizes data into tables with rows and columns, and establishes relationships between these tables using keys. RDBMS adheres to the principles of the relational model, which was proposed by E.F. Codd in the 1970s. Here are some key characteristics of RDBMS:-
1. Tabular Structure:- Data in an RDBMS is organized into tables, where each table consists of rows and columns. Each row represents a record or tuple, while each column represents an attribute or field.
2. Relationships:- RDBMS allows the establishment of relationships between tables using keys. The primary key uniquely identifies each record in a table, while foreign keys establish links between tables, enforcing referential integrity.
3. SQL Support:- RDBMS typically supports SQL (Structured Query Language) for querying and manipulating data. SQL provides a standardized language for performing operations such as retrieving, inserting, updating, and deleting data from the database.
4. ACID Properties:- RDBMS ensures transactional consistency by adhering to the ACID properties (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability). Transactions are treated as atomic units of work, ensuring that they are either fully completed or fully rolled back in case of failure.
5. Data Integrity:- RDBMS enforces data integrity constraints such as uniqueness, referential integrity, and domain constraints to maintain the accuracy and consistency of the data.
6. Concurrency Control:- RDBMS supports concurrency control mechanisms to manage simultaneous access to the data by multiple users or applications. It ensures that transactions are executed in isolation to prevent data inconsistency.
7. Normalization:- RDBMS facilitates data normalization, a process of organizing data to minimize redundancy and dependency. This improves data integrity and reduces storage space.
The primary difference between DBMS and RDBMS lies in their data organization and management approach. While both manage databases, RDBMS specifically adheres to the relational model, organizing data into tables and establishing relationships between them using keys. On the other hand, DBMS is a broader term that encompasses various types of database management systems, including RDBMS, hierarchical databases, network databases, and more. RDBMS is a subset of DBMS that specifically focuses on relational data management.
