(10)What are the advantages & disadvantages of DBMS?

Answer: Major advantages of DBMS are given as follows:

(1)Data Sharing:

•  DBMS allows availability of same information to multiple users.

(2)Data Security:

• Rules can be built to give access to sensitive data.  
• Using access control techniques like passwords, data access can be restricted to only authorized users.

(3)Data Integrity:

•  Single database ensures data integrity by having accurate, consistent, and up-to-date data.
• Any updates or modification to the data must be made in one place in DBMS ensuring Integrity.

(4)Data Independence:

• In a DBMS, data does not reside in applications but databases program & data are independent of each other.

(5)Data Redundancy:

•  DBMS reduces data redundancy (duplication) which helps in reducing the cost of data storage and also improves operational efficiency.

(6)Program & File Consistency:

•  In DBMS, file formats and programs are standardized and consistent.
• Consistency of files and programs makes it easier to manage data when multiple programmers are involved.

(7)Faster Application Development:

• As data is already there in DBMS, application development becomes fast.
• Application developer has to think of only the logic required to retrieve the data in the way a user needs.

(8)User-friendly:

•  DBMS    is user friendly which makes the data access and updation easier for the user.
• DBMS also reduce the reliance on computer experts as normal user can also operate systems with the help of DBMS.

Major disadvantages of DBMS are given as follows:

(1)Cost:

• Cost and time for development of DBMS can be on higher side especially in large enterprises.
• Training requirements for user can also be quite costly.

(2)Security:

•  In absence of stringent controls, it may be possible for some unauthorized users to access the database.
• Data security is major challenge in DBMS environment.