Question

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a relational database than a flat-file database.

Answer 1

It is easier to minimize duplicate data in a relational database.

It is difficult to use a relational database without prior knowledge.

Answer 2

Advances

• Data Integrity, You Only need to change the data in one of the tables, it will then update itself

• Data Redundancy, By having a relational databse it ensures that no attributes are repeated

• Data Consistency, There is no chance of the same attribute being stored in a different format in a different file

• Data Flexibility, When dealing with queries, it gets much easier creating deeper queries with a relational Databse

• Greater Efficiency, as you only have to input the data only once into a relational database it saves time and human resources

Disadvantages

• Complex, Relational databases can be very complex and without the necessary training can be very hard to break down.

• Expensive, Relational databases are mostly commercial and require the user to buy that piece of software or licenses for more than one machine