1. Distinguish between database management system and information retrieval system by focusing on their functionality. Database Management System According to the eighth edition of Modern Database Management, by Jeffrey A. Hoffer, Mary B. Prescott, and Fred R. McFadden, database management system (DBMS) is defined as a software system used to create, maintain and provide controlled access to user databases. Support for Concurrent Updates Concurrent updates occur when several users make updates to the database at the same time. Supporting concurrent updates is also critical to database management as this component ensures that updates are performed appropriately and the end result is accurate. Without DBMS interference, important data may be lost and/or inaccurate data may be stored. DBMS uses features to support concurrent updates such as batch processing, locking, two-phase locking, and timestamping to ensure that updates are performed correctly. Again, the user is not notified of this whole incident as it is the responsibility of the database management system to ensure that all updates are stored appropriately. Data Recovery In the event that a misfortune occurs, the DBMS must offer ways to recover a database so that data is not lost. There are times when computers may fail, a fire or other natural disaster may occur, or a user may enter inaccurate information invalidating or causing records to conflict. If the database is hacked or corrupted in any way, the DBMS must be able to restore the correct state of the database and this process is called recovery. The easiest way to do this is to perform standard backups of your information. This can be done at a controlled and pre-arranged time, so that, in the event of a disaster, the database can be restored to the state it was in before the backup. Security Security is about preventing illegal users from accessing the database. DBMS uses features such as encryption, authentication, authorization, and views to provide security to the database. Encryption occurs when DBMS converts data in a database into an unreadable format. No illegal person attempting to access this information will be able to read it. Authorized users will be able to view it in normal format. Authentication is a technique by which the database manager can identify the person accessing the database. Authorized users are provided with passwords and successful entry of a legitimate password will grant the user entry into the database, if the password is not actually entered the user will be denied access. Authorization is a set of rules that the database administrator (DBA) establishes to specify the levels of practice that individuals or groups can have.