Research the evolution of file system data processing and view the following reading(s) and videos.
Reading(s) File Organization Techniques
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/file-organization-techniques-545.html
Video(s) File Organization Techniques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-EID5_2D9U
Discuss the evolution of file system data processing and how it is helpful to understanding the data access limitations that databases attempt to overcome. Also, include your understanding of data and information.
Full Answer Section
How File System Data Processing Limitations Led to the Development of Databases
File system data processing has a number of limitations, including:
- Data redundancy: File systems often store the same data in multiple files, which can lead to data redundancy and inconsistency.
- Data isolation: File systems do not provide a way to link data between different files. This can make it difficult to perform complex queries and to generate reports.
- Concurrency control: File systems are not designed to handle multiple users accessing the same data at the same time. This can lead to data corruption and lost updates.
Databases were developed to address these limitations of file system data processing. Databases provide a central repository for data, which helps to eliminate data redundancy and inconsistency. Databases also provide a way to link data between different tables, which makes it easier to perform complex queries and to generate reports. Finally, databases provide concurrency control mechanisms to ensure that data is consistent and up-to-date, even when multiple users are accessing it at the same time.
Understanding Data and Information
Data is raw, unprocessed facts. Information is data that has been processed and organized in a way that is meaningful to the user.
For example, the data "101 Main Street" is simply a fact. It does not tell us anything about the meaning of the data. However, if we process the data and organize it into a sentence, such as "The company's headquarters is located at 101 Main Street," then the data becomes information.
Databases are designed to store and manage data. However, they can also be used to generate information. For example, a database could be used to generate a report that shows the number of customers who have purchased a particular product within the last month.
Conclusion
The evolution of file system data processing has been driven by the need to overcome the limitations of traditional file systems. Databases were developed to address these limitations and to provide a more efficient and effective way to store, manage, and access data.
Sample Answer
Evolution of File System Data Processing
The earliest file systems were very simple, consisting of a single file that contained all of the data for a program. This made it difficult to manage and access the data, as users had to know the exact location of the data in the file in order to access it.
Over time, file systems evolved to become more complex and efficient. One of the key innovations was the introduction of directories, which allow users to organize files into groups. This made it easier to find and manage files, as users could simply browse through the directory structure to find the file they were looking for.
Another key innovation was the introduction of indexes, which allow users to quickly search for files based on their contents. For example, a user could index a file by its filename, date created, or file type. This made it much faster to find specific files, even in large directories.