disadvantages of a DBMS


The disadvantages of the database approach are summarized as follows:

  • Danger of a Overkill: For small and simple applications for single users a database system is often not advisable.
  • Size: The complexity and breadth of functionality makes the DBMS an extremely large piece of software, occupying many megabytes of disk space and requiring substantial amounts of memory to run efficiently.
  • Complexity: A database system creates additional complexity and requirements. The supply and operation of a database management system with several users and databases is quite costly and demanding.
  • Qualified Personnel: The professional operation of a database system requires appropriately trained staff. Without a qualified database administrator nothing will work for long
  • Costs: Through the use of a database system new costs are generated for the system itselfs but also for additional hardware and the more complex handling of the system.
  • Performance:Typically, a File Based system is written for a specific application, such as invoicing. As result, performance is generally very good. However, the DBMS is written to be more general, to cater for many applications rather than just one. The effect is that some applications may not run as fast as they used to.
  • Higher impact of a failure: The centralization of resources increases the vulnerability of the system. Since all users and applications rely on the ~vailabi1ity of the DBMS, the failure of any component can bring operations to a halt.
  • Lower Efficiency: A database system is a multi-use software which is often less efficient than specialised software which is produced and optimised exactly for one problem.