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Database

Table/File

Record

Data-item/Field

Data/Character

Fig. 12.2: File Organization
 A field is a set of characters which are used together to represent specific data elements. It is
also termed as a data item. A specific or an individual data item within a record is known as a
field.

For example, roll number, name, age and marks are the fields in a student’s record.
 A collection of fields is termed as a Record. For example, a student record consists of the fields
Roll No, Name, Age and Marks as shown in Fig. 12.3.

Fig. 12.3: Student Table
 A collection of logically related records is called a file. A file is also termed as a table or a

relation. A table has rows and columns, where rows represent records or tuples and columns
represent the attributes or fields. For example, the entire information about all the students (in
the form of records) in a class is kept in a file or table named “student” (Fig. 12.3).

 Database is, therefore, a place where related information is stored and various operations can
be performed on it. It is the highest unit of file organization.
Computer Science with Python–XII 12.2 12.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (DBMS)
These databases are generally managed by special software known as Database Management

System (DBMS).

Database Management Systems are specially-designed applications that connect the user and
program, and store data in an organized manner. The purpose of DBMS software is to allow the
user to create, modify and control a database.