13.2 Traditional File Processing

	Traditionally, computer applications used to rely directly on files to store and retrieve data.
	For example consider the two applications used by one company shown in Figure 13.1. Both applications use the traditional file system to store and access data.
	Application 1 is based on files A, C and D while Application 2 is based on files B, C and E. Both applications could be related with,

for example, Application 1 is an accounting software while Application 2 is a human resources software.

The problems of using the traditional file system to support the two applications are:

Each application could be provided by a different software vendor.

Thus, both applications could vary in the way they store and access data in the file system in addition to variations in the file structure that each application uses.

It is not possible in for Application 1 to directly access data in the files supporting Application 2 or vice versa.

			If an application needs to access data in files of a different application, a special protocol must be developed to allow the communication of data between applications.
			Such protocol could be very expensive and time consuming to create.

13.2 Traditional File Processing

Note that both applications are based on file C.

			Two copies of the file exist to support both applications.
			This leads to data redundancy and inconsistency problems.
			In addition, memory resources are wasted.

13.2 Traditional File Processing

Figure 13.1: Example of Two Application Supported by the Traditional File System