Using databases eliminates many problems that arose from previous methods of
storing and accessing data. Databases are arranged so that one set of software
programs—the database management system-—provides all users with access to all
the data. (We discuss database management systems later in this chapter.) This
system minimizes the following problems:
x
Data redundancy
: The same data are stored in many places.
x
Data Isolation
: Applications cannot access data associated with other
applications.
x
Data Inconsistency
: Various copies of the data do not agree.