File system is deployed for managing the files whereas the DBMS is deployed for storing the data. In this tutorial, we will discuss the difference between DBMS and file system.

So read on the full article to know more about DBMS vs File system.

What is DBMS?

The DBMS is a software which is used to manage the database. Oracle, MySQL, etc are the well-liked examples of commercial DBMS used in different applications. DBMS provides the following tasks to users:

  • Data Definition:Data Definition helps in the creation, removal, and modification of definitions that define the organization of data in the database.
  • Data Updation: Data Updation helps in insertion, deletion, and modification of the actual data in the database. 
  • Data Retrieval:Data Retrieval assists in the retrieval of data from the database that can be used by applications for various purposes.
  • User Administration:User Administration helps in registering and monitoring users. Moreover, monitoring performance, enforcing data security, maintaining data integrity. And dealing with concurrency control and recovering information ruined by unpredicted failure.

Also Read- Difference between SQL and NoSQL | SQL vs NoSQL

What is File System?

The file system controls the data using files in the hard disk. Users are permitted to create, update, and delete the files according to their needs. But File system includes following things as compared to DBMS:

  • Inconsistency of Data:  if multiple copies of the same data do not match with each other than data is known to be inconsistent.
  • Redundancy of data: if the same data is copied at many places the data is known to be redundant.
  • No Concurrent Access:  The file system does not permit any concurrency. Data can be accessed by only one user at a time. At a similar time the access of the same data by multiple users is known as concurrency.
  • Unauthorized Access:File Systems may lead to unauthorized access to data.
  • No Backup and Recovery:File system does not support any backup and recovery of data, in case a file is lost or corrupted.

Also Read- Differences between RDBMS and Hadoop | RDBMS vs Hadoop

Difference between DBMS and File System:-

DBMS VS File System



File System

1. Purpose

Software  to create and manage databasesSoftware that manages the data files in a computer
2. UsesHelps to easily store, retrieve and manipulate data in a databaseHelps to store a collection of raw data files into the hard disk.
3. OperationsOperations such as updating, searching, selecting data is easier since it allows using SQL queryingTasks such as storing, retrieving, and searching are done manually, so it is difficult to manage data.
4. Data ConsistencyIt provides higher data consistency using normalization.Has data inconsistency.
5. Data redundancyThere is a low data redundancyThere is more redundant data
6. SecurityComparatively less data securityProvides more security to data
7. Backup and RecoveryHas a Sophisticated backup and recoveryThe backup and recovery process is not efficient because it is not possible to recover the lost data.
8. SuitabilitySuitable for medium to large organizations or multiple usersAppropriate to handle data of a small scale organization or individual users
9. HandlingHandling is a complexHandling is easy
10. ProceduresIn DBMS, the user is not required to write the procedures.In this system, the user has to write the procedures for managing the database.
11. System FailureDBMS protects the user from system failure.While entering some data, if the system crashes, then the content of the file will also be lost.
12. Data ViewDBMS gives an abstract view of data that hides the details.The file system presents the detail of the data representation and storage of data.
13. Storage TechniquesDBMS contains a wide variety of sophisticated techniques to store and retrieve the data.The file system can’t efficiently store and retrieve the data.
14. ProtectionDBMS provides a good protection mechanism.The file system offers the detail of the storage of data and data representation.
15. Concurrent accessDBMS takes concern of Concurrent access to data using some form of locking.Concurrent access has many problems in the File System like redirecting the file while others deleting some information or updating some information.
16. Cash Recovery mechanismDBMS provides a crash recovery mechanism

The file system doesn’t have a crash mechanism


In this tutorial, we have discussed about the difference between DBMS and file system. If you are having any doubt, ask me freely in the comment box.

Also read- Top 21 Difference Between Small Data and Big Data| Small data vs Big data


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