The software that enables a user to define and build a database and an application, and then to use them. Data Definition Language used to define the database table structure. It is a collection of integrated records. Contains the description of relationships among data. For example, connections among course registrations, course instructors, instructors office telephone numbers, etc.
Limitation is it can only access data through links that are planned in advance.
For example, links between courses and a student. In addition, in file processing the data values are redundant. For example, if there is a change in address for a faculty member, this change has to be made in all files else it will result in problems of data integrity. In a DBMS this is not a problem. In addition, in a DBMS the data values are current.