Database management system (DBMS)  a DBMS allows users and other software to store and retrieve data in a structured way  controls the organization, storage,manag- ement, and retrieval(access) of data in a data- base  e.g. Microsoft Access

Introduction of the structure Database File: This is your main file that include the whole database and that is saved to your hard-drive. Table:A table is a collection of data about a specific topic. Tables organize data into fields and records. Field(column):Fields are the different categories within a Table.

Differences between file system and database management system Advantages: A table form is a better logical view for user Input data in an efficient way. Easier to check the data(well-organized,more clear) File system plain text Database management system table form

In a file system, data are stored separately while data are centralized in a database file under a database management system. advantages: Manage the data in a simpler way. Less time is required to search for different groups of information(they may be stored in different files) because the tables inside the database can be linked up by common fields.

Other advantages: Easier to compare information(as information are arranged in a specific order with a sort key ) It is able to design field properties (e.g.Field size 、 Format,confine the uniqueness) prevent transcription errors. (page.73) "Query" can help us to find a specific information from a large database. "Data merging" can combine two tables. Tables can be exported into different formats.(e.g.Excel)