Bibliographic and commercial databases—contrasting approaches to data management with special reference to DBMS

The different approaches to the term ‘database’ are distinguished by the differences between bibliographic and commercial databases. The two have resulted in different software development, namely IR and Database Management Systems (DBMS). The author explains the characteristics of DBMS, illustrated with 2 diagrams, for use with commercial systems. Factors in the design of commercial databases are discussed. Examples of software packages described are — ADABAS, BASIS, INQUIRE, LEXIBOSS. The author concludes that the division between IR and DBMS should narrow but that the microcomputer is not likely to provide the basis for such systems yet. 1 reference.