Question

As a volunteer at a local library, you see that library uses a system which stores member, books and other data in text files. This system was commissioned long ago, developed by one of the staff members. You are asked by the librarian to explain the limitations of file-based approach to a committee to evaluate implementation of a system that uses a database to store information.                                                  

Answer 1

This can be explained in two parts

# Limitations of file-based approach

• Lack of consistency: Since the data can be modified/updated by more than one person, there is going to be inconsistency.
• Seaching: If the amount of data is increased, the process of searching will reduce significantally.
• Security: There are limitations on how the information can be protected from unauthorized access in a file-based system.
• Backup: The process of backing up and restoring data is messy and inconsistent.
• Storage Space: File-Based approach takes up more disk space
• DataVisualization: There is no specific tool that can be used to visually display the data relation of multiple files.

# Advantages of using a databse instead

• Data Constistency: If a database is used, it can be ensured that the data is consitent. Thus removing the case of data duplication.
• Information Security: A database allows us to restrict access to certain data that might be sensitive ( ex: User Information).
• Organization: Using a database is more easy than storing data in individual text files. It is more organized and detailed. More consitent
• Easy to search: Searching for information is really easy in a databse, the user can find out the information he/she needs specifically just by typing a query.
• Backup: The process of backup and restoring is really easy while working with databse.
• Storage Space: Database saves storage and can easliy handle large amount of data.