The Traditional Approach

• The traditional approach to data management is whereby separate data files are created and stored for each application program.
• For example customer records are often maintained in separate files, with each relating to a specific purpose in the company such as shipping or billing.
• There are several flaws with the traditional approach they include:
1. Data redundancy: duplication of data in separate files
2. Data integrity: the degree to which the data in any one file is accurate
3. Program dependence: concept where data for one application can be incompatible with another program.