What is a Relational Database Management System?

The Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) is a database that uses a relational model to store data in tables. The table comprises rows and columns, with each column containing an entry for data for a given category and each row including an instance for that data determined by the category.

Whether it is an application or a website, the role of a developer is to design the website to be visually appealing, develop the web page to offer users a smooth browsing experience and connect the site to a powerful database to store the data of the website. 

There are a variety of databases, hierarchical database systems, network database systems, object-oriented database systems and relational databases. Each has a different purpose, and it is up to the developer to decide which to include in their software. 

In this article, we will be discussing the relational database management system and the different types. 

What Is a Relational Database Management System?

The Structured Query Language (SQL) is a relational database’s standard user and application software interface. Most of today’s IT systems and applications are built on relational databases.

Because the table is kept in a relation model, relational databases are widely used because they can easily handle large volumes of data and complex queries. The tables in the relational database can be linked in a variety of ways, much as the links between the data in an entity’s relationship diagram:

• A record in one table’s characteristics may be connected to a record in another table.
• A record in one table may be connected to numerous records in another.
• Many records in one table might be connected to many records in another table.

Therefore, with the help of this relationship model, developers and analysts can more quickly understand how the various pieces of data relate to one another and process queries.

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting a Relational Database

Here are some important factors to take into account when choosing a relational database before we move on to the sections on the common types of Relational Database Management System:

Initial Setup 

When setting up a database system, ensure that it supports synchronisation with other platforms and integration into the existing data architecture. These elements are required for the DBMS to be optimised for operations and continuous workflow.

Data Security

Every DBMS typically offers a variety of security measures. To protect your data, you must consider whether the database system you choose has features like encryption, programmable procedures, and access privileges. Make that the database system has authorisation and authentication for access restrictions, which enable developers to specify access permissions.

Data Accuracy

One of the most important features of database management systems is data accuracy. To guarantee the accuracy of the data, each RDBMS typically has support for ACID qualities, including atomicity, consistency, durability, and isolation. RDBMS is the chosen database management system for complicated tasks because of this.

Popular Types of Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS)

When it comes to RDBMS, there are many different types that you can use in your projects. The popular forms of relational database systems utilised in numerous well-known applications are described below under the following headings.

1. Oracle
2. MySQL
3. MariaDB
4. Microsoft SQL Server
5. PostgreSQL

Oracle

Oracle, designed by Oracle Corporation, is the most widely used relational database system (RDBMS). Complex business models can now be stored in relational databases thanks to Oracle Database’s extension of the relational paradigm to an object-relational model. In addition to being an RDBMS, Oracle also offers Cloud, Document Store, Key-Value, BLOG, and PDF Storage features.

The independence of logical data structures from physical data storage is an RDBMS’s distinctive feature. A database schema in Oracle Database is a group of logical data structures known as schema objects. A database schema with the same name as the user name belongs to a database user.

Pros:

• Offers the newest features and advancements.
• Because Oracle DBMS tools are so strong, they can handle practically any conceivable task.

Cons:

• The Oracle DBMS is a pricey tool for smaller businesses.
• Demands numerous frequent hardware updates.

MySQL

Sun Microsystems developed the free and open-source RDBMS known as MySQL. It is a common RDBMS option for well-known platforms. Both large and small applications frequently utilise MySQL to store user activity and personal data safely. Developing robust and dynamic server-side or web-based enterprise applications is frequently used in conjunction with PHP scripts.

Structured query language (SQL), the language used to operate with databases, is referred to as SQL in MySQL. Developers and analysts can create and handle queries on the MySQL database using SQL.

Pros:

• MySQL database system is quick and safe.
• It can function on various platforms. MySQL can adapt to various situations, including blog sites, eCommerce platforms, etc.
• There are numerous storage engines.
• It provides constant connectivity.
• It has advanced data protection measures built into it.
• It is adaptable, well-documented, and simple to use.

Cons:

• Because MySQL does not support PL/SQL, it cannot be used with the Oracle database.
• In MySQL, managing big amounts of data is challenging.
• Users cannot use a few necessary functions for free.
• Scaling MySQL RDBMS is challenging with inadequate debugging tools.

MariaDB 

Applications ranging from websites to banking use MariaDB to transform data into structured information. It is an improved drop-in substitute for MySQL. Because MariaDB is quick, scalable, and reliable and has a large ecosystem of storage engines, plugins, and other tools, it is particularly adaptable for a wide range of use cases.

Since it is an open-source program, MariaDB is utilised by many well-known systems and, as a relational database, offers a SQL interface for data access. GIS and JSON functionalities are also present in the most recent versions of MariaDB.

Pros:

• MariaDB is excellent for huge data sets and delivers excellent query performance.
• enables the use of more open-source code
• Making the switch to MariaDB is easy.
• Compared to MySQL, MariaDB has better storage engine support.
• great stability without requiring DDL operations
• Galera’s integrated technology lowers client latencies, and its performance is superior to MySQL.

Cons:

• Making the switch from MariaDB to MySQL might be challenging.
• When using AWS, Amazon Aurora can be significantly faster than MariaDB.
• Not entirely MySQL compatible
• MariaDB lacks a few features from MySQL Enterprise Edition. This is why it provides alternative open-source data masking plugins like MaxScale.
• Users must rely on the knowledge base and forums or pay for technical support.

Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft’s SQL Server database is one of the most widely used worldwide. The system was designed and built to manage and save data. The system enables various business information, analytics, and transaction processing processes.

MS SQL is an open-source database program that is platform-independent and supports GUI and command-line applications. This database system uses SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) to analyse data, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) to generate reports, and SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) to perform ETL operations (SSIS).

Pros:

• Microsoft SQL Server DBMS is dependable and quick.
• Microsoft SQL Server is particularly resource-efficient because it can adapt to the resources.
• Microsoft SQL Server provides mobile devices with simple graphics.
• Microsoft SQL Server can work with every Microsoft product.

Cons:

• The cost of using this DBMS is rather high.
• Often results in limited resources.
• Importing and exporting data files are incompatible.

PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is a robust relational database system that employs the SQL language and is built with several powerful features that safely store and handle the most challenging data workloads. It is well renowned for its architecture, dependability, data integrity, rich feature set, extensibility, and the commitment of the open-source community to the software’s consistent delivery of creative and high-performing solutions.

The first database management system (DBMS) that implements MVCC, or Multi-Version Concurrency Control, that adheres to the ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability) properties is PostgreSQL.

Pros:

• An adaptable and scalable DBMS.
• PostgreSQL will provide integrated JSON data support.
• Offers a lot of built-in functions.
• It comes with a variety of user interface configurations.

Cons:

• There is no detailed information available.
• The arrangement is extremely convoluted and complicated.
• Because queries are run in batches, speed is hindered.

The Bottom Line

RDBMS is used to cleanly and efficiently store important data and information for the application in tables. Later, analysts analyse the gathered data to look for trends and reach crucial judgments. We trust that you now fully grasp the importance of the role played by RDBMS in applications and the most common types.

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