DBMS vs RDBMS: Difference between DBMS and RDBMS

Details: Last Updated: 04 April 2021

In this RDBMS vs DBMS tutorial, we will learn about main RDBMS and DBMS difference. But before that, let's learn:

What is DBMS?

A DBMS is a software used to store and manage data. The DBMS was introduced during 1960's to store any data. It also offers manipulation of the data like insertion, deletion, and updating of the data.

DBMS system also performs the functions like defining, creating, revising and controlling the database. It is specially designed to create and maintain data and enable the individual business application to extract the desired data.

What is RDBMS?

Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) is an advanced version of a DBMS system. It came into existence during 1970's. RDBMS system also allows the organization to access data more efficiently then DBMS.

RDBMS is a software system which is used to store only data which need to be stored in the form of tables. In this kind of system, data is managed and stored in rows and columns which is known as tuples and attributes. RDBMS is a powerful data management system and is widely used across the world.

KEY DIFFERENCE

DBMS stores data as a file whereas in RDBMS, data is stored in the form of tables.
DBMS supports single users, while RDBMS supports multiple users.
DBMS does not support client-server architecture but RDBMS supports client-server architecture.
DBMS has low software and hardware requirements whereas RDBMS has higher hardware and software requirements.
In DBMS, data redundancy is common while in RDBMS, keys and indexes do not allow data redundancy.

Difference between DBMS vs RDBMS

The below table demonstrates the main difference between RDBMS and DBMS:

Parameter	DBMS	RDBMS
Storage	DBMS stores data as a file.	Data is stored in the form of tables.
Database structure	DBMS system, stores data in either a navigational or hierarchical form.	RDBMS uses a tabular structure where the headers are the column names, and the rows contain corresponding values
Number of Users	DBMS supports single user only.	It supports multiple users.
ACID	In a regular database, the data may not be stored following the ACID model. This can develop inconsistencies in the database.	Relational databases are harder to construct, but they are consistent and well structured. They obey ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability).
Type of program	It is the program for managing the databases on the computer networks and the system hard disks.	It is the database systems which are used for maintaining the relationships among the tables.
Hardware and software needs.	Low software and hardware needs.	Higher hardware and software need.
Integrity constraints	DBMS does not support the integrity constants. The integrity constants are not imposed at the file level.	RDBMS supports the integrity constraints at the schema level. Values beyond a defined range cannot be stored into the particular RDMS column.
Normalization	DBMS does not support Normalization	RDBMS can be Normalized.
Distributed Databases	DBMS does not support distributed database.	RBMS offers support for distributed databases.
Ideally suited for	DBMS system mainly deals with small quantity of data.	RDMS is designed to handle a large amount of data.
Dr. E.F. Codd Rules	Dbms satisfy less than seven of Dr. E.F. Codd Rules	Dbms satisfy 8 to 10 Dr. E.F. Codd Rules
Client Server	DBMS does not support client-server architecture	RDBMS supports client-server architecture.
Data Fetching	Data fetching is slower for the complex and large amount of data.	Data fetching is rapid because of its relational approach.
Data Redundancy	Data redundancy is common in this model.	Keys and indexes do not allow Data redundancy.
Data Relationship	No relationship between data	Data is stored in the form of tables which are related to each other with the help of foreign keys.
Security	There is no security.	Multiple levels of security. Log files are created at OS, Command, and object level.
Data Access	Data elements need to access individually.	Data can be easily accessed using SQL query. Multiple data elements can be accessed at the same time.
Examples	Examples of DBMS are a file system, XML, Windows Registry, etc.	Example of RDBMS is MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, etc.