Centralized database

A centralised database (sometimes abbreviated CDB) is a database that is located, stored, and maintained in a single location. This location is most often a central computer or database system, for example a desktop or server CPU, or a mainframe computer. [1] In most cases, a centralised database would be used by an organisation (e.g. a business company) or an institution (e.g. a university.) Users access a centralised database through a computer network which is able to give them access to the central CPU, which in turn maintains to the database itself.[2]

All of the information stored on the CBS is accessible from a large number of different points, which in turn creates a significant amount of both advantages and disadvantages.

Historical context

The first ever created computers were overly expensive and did not have separate terminals. Thus, the need for centralised computing quickly arose. As a result, a way for data to be not just be processed, but to also be organised and stored was discovered. This gave way to the earliest versions of databases, their respective database management systems (DBMS) and, in turn, centralised databases.[3]

With the growing popularity of computers, more and more types of database orientation and design were introduced. Centralised databases however are still used today, especially where storing and processing data in large enterprises is concerned.[4]

An example for a centralised database could be given with the Australian Department of Defence, which centralised their databases in the mid 1970s.[5]

Advantages

Centralised databases hold a substantial amount of advantages against other types of databases. Some of them are listed below:

Disadvantages

Centralised databases also have a certain amount of limitations, such as those described below:

Centralised databases vs. Distributed databases

The underlying idea of centralised databases is that they should be able to receive, maintain, and complete every single request that the main system must perform by themselves. There is only one database file, kept at a single location on a given network.

A distributed database, however, is a database in which all the information is stored on multiple physical locations.[11] Distributed databases are divided into two groups: homogeneous and heterogeneous. It relies on replication and duplication within its multiple sub-databases in order to maintain its records up to date. It is composed of multiple database files, all controlled by a central DBMS.

The main differences between centralised and distributed databases arise due to their respective basic characteristics. Differences include but are not limited to:

See also

References

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