History of Databases

Summary

The script narrates the evolution of databases from ancient Sumerian tablets to modern computer systems. It highlights Ted Codd's invention of the relational database model in 1970, which revolutionized data organization through interconnected tables. Despite initial resistance from IBM, who favored their hierarchical IMS system, the relational model gained traction with the creation of INGRES at UC Berkeley and the launch of Oracle by Larry Ellison in 1979. Oracle's adaptability across various computer systems and its early adoption of Codd's concept led to its dominance in the software industry, shaping how we interact with data today.

Takeaways

• 📚 Databases have been used since ancient times, such as the Sumerian tablet for medical prescriptions.
• 💾 Early computer databases followed a flat file model, which was slow and inefficient for large data sets.
• 🌳 IBM's IMS used a hierarchical model in the mid-1960s, which was tree-like but had limitations in scalability.
• 🔄 Charles Bachmann developed a network model allowing multiple parents for child nodes, but it became difficult to manage as databases grew.
• 📊 Ted Codd proposed the relational database model in 1970, simplifying data access and manipulation through tables and matching fields.
• 📝 Codd and JDate advocated for the relational model, despite competition from IBM's IMS, which was more profitable at the time.
• 🏫 UC Berkeley created the Ingress relational database in 1973, making it freely available and influencing commercial products.
• 🔍 IBM's System R, released in 1975, introduced a structured query language for data search and modification.
• 💼 Larry Ellison founded a software company in 1977, which developed Oracle, the first commercially available relational database compatible with IBM's System R.
• 🚀 Oracle's adaptability across various computer systems by 1983 contributed to its rapid profitability and market dominance.
• 📈 Despite IBM's late entry with DB2, Oracle had already established itself as a major player, embracing Codd's relational database concept.

Q & A

What role did the Sumerian tablet play in early data organization?

The Sumerian tablet was used as an index of medical prescriptions, ship manifests, card catalogs, and product inventories, serving as one of the earliest forms of database organization.

How did early computer databases operate, and what was their main limitation?

Early computer databases operated using a flat file model, which was a simple consecutive list of records. The main limitation was that searches had to start at the beginning of the list and proceed sequentially, making it slow and inefficient for large volumes of records.

What was the hierarchical model used by IBM in the 1960s, and where was it successfully applied?

The hierarchical model used by IBM organized data in a tree-like structure with parent nodes pointing to child nodes. It was successfully applied by NASA to manage drawings for the lunar lander.

What challenge arose with the network model developed by Charles Bachmann at GE?

The network model allowed child nodes to have multiple parents, but as the database became more complex, it became increasingly difficult to manage all the pointers.

How did Ted Codd's relational database model differ from earlier models?

Ted Codd's relational database model differed by organizing data into simple tables of related information, without requiring pointers. Tables were connected by matching data fields, making it easier to access, merge, and change data.

Why was IBM slow to support Ted Codd's relational database model despite its advantages?

IBM was slow to support Ted Codd's relational database model because it competed with their existing and profitable hierarchical model used in the IMS (Information Management System).

What significant contribution did Michael Stonebraker's team at UC Berkeley make to relational databases?

Michael Stonebraker's team at UC Berkeley created the Ingres relational database based on Ted Codd's ideas, making it freely available for a modest fee. This contributed to the development of successful commercial products.

What role did Larry Ellison play in the commercial development of relational databases?

Larry Ellison, along with Bob Miner and Ed Oates, founded a software company in 1977 to develop and sell the first commercially available relational database, Oracle, which was compatible with IBM's System R. Oracle quickly became profitable and established itself as a major player in the industry.

How did the release of IBM's DB2 in 1983 impact the relational database market?

IBM's release of DB2 in 1983 came too late to dominate the mini-computer market, as Oracle had already established a strong presence by selling to IBM's customers. As a result, Oracle continued to grow, while IBM's DB2 faced stiff competition.

Why have relational databases become a fundamental part of how data is organized in the modern world?

Relational databases became fundamental due to their flexibility, efficiency, and ease of use in organizing large volumes of data. They allowed for easy access, merging, and modification of data, which is essential in our information-driven society where data is gathered, organized, and made accessible in nearly every aspect of life.