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Difference Between DBMS and RDBMS

The volume and complexity of data have dramatically increased over the years. It created the need for database management systems for storing, managing, updating, retrieving, and protecting data in real-time. That’s when DBMS (Database Management Systems) and RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) came to the rescue.

A DBMS is a software program for creating, managing, storing, and controlling data. An RDBMS can be considered an upgraded version of a DBMS. Dive into this article to understand the difference between RDBMS and DBMS. Before delving deep into the difference between RDBMS and DBMS, let’s understand them individually.

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What is DBMS?

A DBMS can be defined as a computerized system for data-keeping. It can help with manipulating data in a database system or managing the database structure itself. A DBMS will store data in files in a navigational or hierarchical form.

A DBMS is often used by small organizations to deal with small volumes of data. A key difference between RDBMS and DBMS is that no relationship exists between the tables containing data in a DBMS. If you compare DBMS vs RDBMS, the first one won’t support distributed databases. 

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What is RDBMS?

RDBMS stands for Relational Database Management System. It is a software system that manages relational databases, which are organized using tables consisting of rows and columns. RDBMS provides a structured approach to store, manage, and retrieve data efficiently. It uses the relational model to establish relationships between tables based on common attributes, enabling data integrity, data consistency, and data manipulation through SQL (Structured Query Language) queries.

RDBMS offers features like data normalization, transaction management, concurrency control, and data security, making it widely used in various applications and industries for managing structured data. Examples of popular RDBMSs include MySQL, Oracle Database, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL.A key difference between RDBMS and DBMS is that an RDMS contains data in a tabular format. If you compare DBMS vs RDBMS, you will realize that a relationship exists between the tables in an RDBMS. 

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Key Differences between DBMS and RDBMS

Let’s look at some major differences in RDBMS and DBMS in detail.

While comparing DBMS vs RDBMS, you will understand that some key features of DBMS include:

• It can maintain data uniformity.
• It can operate with minimum hardware and software.
• It is extremely versatile. 
• It can help manage data faster. 

Key features of RDBMS:

• Supports multiple users
• Can store huge volumes of data
• Reduces data redundancy
• Enables data integration
• Useful for structuring and organizing data

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DBMS VS RDBMS: Examples

There is a various difference between DBMS and RDBMS if we look at the examples of both. Microsoft Access and XML are common examples of DBMS. Oracle and SQL Server are common examples of RDBMS. 

Here’s a table highlighting examples of RDBMS (Relational Database Management Systems) and DBMS (Database Management Systems):

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DBMS VS RDBMS: Recent Trends

There are differences between DBMS and RDBMS in their trend. Some top trends associated with DBMS and RDBMS are as follows:

• SQL remains the cornerstone for database management systems.
• Modern database management systems need minimal database latency for improved performance.
• Stronger database security layers are being added to protect database management systems. 

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What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of DBMS and RDBMS

Let’s explore some of the advantages and disadvantages of DBMS and RDBMS along with their differences.

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Conclusion

In this article we have understood the basis difference between RDBMS and DBMS. You can say that all RDMSs can be considered DBMSs. But not every DBMS is an RDBMS. You can now easily determine which one is the best for your organization.