Data Abstraction in DBMS? Examples, Levels, Advantages and Disadvantages: Do you often wonder why few websites bring different uses for different users? Just take the example of a school website where the students can check details like homework. On the other hand, teachers can check their timetable or other essential information about their work. It is simply a process of showing the necessary data and hiding the one that isn’t needed.

Also See: Shadow Paging in DBMS

This process is known as data abstraction about which we will talk in detail during this post. We suggest reading the complete post and understanding what it is all about!

Data Abstraction in DBMS? Examples, Levels, Advantages and Disadvantages

Data Abstraction can be simply a technique for hiding irrelevant information from the system. The main motive of this method is to give a different view and provide assistance for getting data independence. It is very useful for boosting data security. It is considered extremely useful for dealing with the database system having a solid sort of complexity.

Its main use is to break down the issue into minor problems to make data management easier. For instance, Google is almost used by every internet user, but they don’t know much about how data is stored. The reason behind that is how Google stores data is completely useless for them, and that’s why this information stays hidden all the time. It is the premier example of how data abstraction is used in the database system.

Different levels of data abstraction?

There are lots of complex data structures available in database systems. It only not minimizes the complexity but also ensures that the system gets efficient. The developers use various levels of abstraction that we have mentioned in detail below:

  • Internal Schema

Also known as physical level, it is used to tell the location of data for the users. In simple language, we will say this level shows the real position of data that they will utilize. There are tons of things like which data will be stored at a certain drive, the amount of fragmented data, storage location, etc., that database administrators decide.

It is up to them to distribute or centralize the data according to requirements. Although the data can be seen in the form of tables during the viewing time, it is only stored as files in the system. The choice can only be made by the database administrators for the way database needs to be managed at this level. For example, the details of customers are saved in tables and data that are further stored in the form of storage blocks, like gigabytes, bytes, etc.

  • Logical Level

The next one is considered an intermediate level that explains what kind of data is stored in the system. It is also known as the conceptual level and showcases the type of relationships present in such data. The main motive of this level is to explain the complete data as it displays which tables will be created and what kind of links will be created in those tables.

Also See: RAID in DBMS

If we compare it with the physical level, the level of complexity is quite lower. Database administrators and developers mostly utilize this level. In simple words, it normally consists of fields and attributes in the database.

  • View Level

The third one is the highest order of data abstraction that mainly shows the interaction of the user with the database. There is a variety of levels for views with each one showing a specific area of data. The developers use this level to simplify interaction with the user and offer lots of viewers in the same database.

Users of all levels use this technology, thanks to its low complexity. Additionally, it is quite easy to understand, even for a novice developer. This level is used to display data necessary for a particular user.

Also See: File Organization in DBMS

Advantages of data abstraction in DBMS?

There is a tremendous set of advantages offered by data abstraction that we have mentioned below in detail:

  • There is great assistance provided by data abstraction to avoid low-level coding.
  • It offers a solid sort of help to keep the code duplication as much as possible.
  • Data abstraction is used to boost the reusability to a great level.
  • This technique is extremely useful for modifying the internal implementation of a class at an independent rate without causing any effect on the user.
  • The security can become better by using data abstraction in any form of application because all the essential details are given to the user.

Are there any drawbacks to data abstraction?

We have received tons of queries where people ask a question about the disadvantages of data abstraction. The internet is full of advantages of data abstraction, and that’s why our team has written about them in detail below:

  • It offers complexity at many levels of the database that might create confusion for developers.
  • The navigation becomes extremely difficult when an extra layer is added to the code.

Also See: Metadata in DBMS

Real-time examples of data abstraction in DBMS?

There are tons of real-time uses of data abstraction that can be seen in daily lives. We have mentioned a few of them below:

  • Taking Photos on a Mobile Phone

While clicking pictures on a smartphone, you can switch the camera either front or rear according to requirement. The availability of data abstraction will ensure that the camera you need is only reflected on the screen.

This technology ensures that the required camera angles can be accessed using the mobile phone.

  • Withdrawing Money from ATM

The data abstraction technology is used to protect the important details of customers in ATMs. A debit or credit card is used by customers followed by credentials to withdraw money from the ATM. 

Data abstraction ensures that customers can’t check the process of how cash is dispensed from the ATM. Due to this technology, they can’t even know how slips come out of the machine.

  • College Website

If you think the uses of data abstraction are just limited to technology, we believe there is a need to think again. It is very useful for educational institutes websites where certain information needs to be shown to certain users.

Also See: Aggregation in DBMS

For e.g., there are details like syllabus and timetable that should be shown to students and teachers. On the other hand, information like student contact numbers and family members can be acknowledged by faculty. Data abstraction turns out to be very useful in that condition.

Data abstraction is one of the most important technologies used in database management systems. Want to ask something regarding this technique? Write about it in the comment section, so our team can answer it convincingly!

Sumit ThakurWhat Is DBMSData Abstraction in DBMS? Examples, Levels, Advantages and Disadvantages: Do you often wonder why few websites bring different uses for different users? Just take the example of a school website where the students can check details like homework. On the other hand, teachers can check their timetable or other...Let's Define DBMS