Question

Discuss the potential aggravations you might face as a student as a result of your university using a flat-file data management environment

Answer 1

Flat file database is to store simple information on a computer. A UNIX or Linux operating system runs on a series of flat file databases. A Windows computer also uses flat file databases to store information which is used every day. A Macintosh computer also does this. But a flat file database is not relational, and cannot satisfy Edgar F. Codd's thirteen rules that define the relational nature of databases. There are distinct advantages and also disadvantages to the flat file database.

Databases accessed on a network share are useful for access by many people who are looking for information. Flat file databases are not usually accessed like this since they belong with offline entities and form the machinery of operating systems and local devices. Also, there are no transactions in a flat file database, so it is limited in what it can actually do as a database entity. So a flat file database is disadvantageous to a network user, who is accessing a multi-access, multi-tasking relational online database which can be viewed from many different aspects.

There can be a Lot of aggravations might face as a student as a result of university using a flat-file data management environment. Some are these-:

1) Like in a multitasking environment a student uses number of services from the university like academic, hostel, library, parking, fooding. If it will not be connected to the main server all the information than the administration will not be able to identify weather student have paid the canteen bill or tution fee etc.

2) If Data is not connected with the admin, then there is a low chance that a student after qualifying will not able to share results to get certificate from admin office as it is not updated.

3) Hence if the data is not centralised in one system due to lack of sharing & using flat file system one cannot tell the real-time status of students for their payment related to education, canteen, library dues, cultural dues.

These are the problem for students if university using a flat file structure.