| With the hot new buzz about data management | | | | computers were themselves considered a |
| systems, you would have thought that they are | | | | research project. |
| a very recent invention. In fact, that is not true | | | | It wasn't until the 1970s, when memory was able |
| at all. Simple electromagnetic databases have | | | | to be increased and component prices began to |
| existed even in the earliest electronic computers. | | | | decrease, was there any real headway with |
| In fact, it is hard for any computer to operate | | | | database management systems. It was at this |
| without a database infrastructure behind it. In this | | | | time that a number of different problems started |
| article, I'll give you the history of database | | | | coming up, as related to information management |
| management systems. | | | | on the computers. With all these problems |
| If you think about it, database management | | | | surfacing, a solution was needed. |
| systems have even existed for thousands of | | | | In the 1980 all the major vendors who sold |
| years. However, in the earlier days they were | | | | hardware systems started incorporating database |
| recorded without computers, with crude | | | | management systems into their computers for a |
| accounting systems that banks used to use over | | | | systematic solution. |
| a 500 years ago. | | | | At first, these database management systems |
| However, when most people talk about database | | | | were very specific to the computer and to the |
| management systems, they refer to one of an | | | | user. IBM was one of the leaders in this category, |
| electronic nature. This is where electromagnetic | | | | but soon many clones and competitors entered |
| storage of information takes place, is organized | | | | into the marketplace, all at varying price points |
| and can be recalled later with a set of commands. | | | | with different and alternative solutions. |
| At first, database management systems are | | | | With the advent of the 90s, the shift turned from |
| very crude, as there was always a memory | | | | having an accurate database management |
| problem with the earlier electronic computers. In | | | | system, to having one that was easily |
| fact, Bill Gates was quoted as saying in 1981 that | | | | maintainable. This is because memory capacity |
| 640K memory ought to be enough for anybody. | | | | started to grow, as well as the creation and |
| Ha! | | | | spread of information. This is when some of the |
| Around the 1960s, the earliest of electromagnetic | | | | more sophisticated database management |
| database storage was used only by those who | | | | systems at the market. |
| could afford it, because of its extremely high | | | | Currently, the focus is on completely automating |
| expense. In fact, whereas today databases are | | | | most of the database management administration. |
| used for research purposes, at this time | | | | |