continuing with some history...

*   database processing systems grew out of
    those issues we discussed as file-processing
    systems involve more and more files of
    more and more data;

    *   one big idea: to HIDE/abstract file-level
        details from applications, in
	this case by using a DBMS

    *   potential advantages:
        *   more-integrated data
        *   reduced (unnecessary) data duplication
        *   decreased application program dependence
        *   easier (ad-hoc) representation of the
	    users' perspective    

        *   ...and more (increased security,
	    tools for backup and recovery, etc.)

    *   there are also potential disadvantages
        to database-processing systems:
        *   DBMSs can be complex
        *   they can be big (size)
        *   cost of DBMS
        *   cost of conversion
        *   performance (a DBMS is built to be more 
	    general, satisfying the needs of many --
	    a custom-built application program 
            can be faster)
        *   central point of failure