The Integrated Data Store (IDS) is a significant milestone in the history of database systems, particularly in the realm of database management systems (DBMS). Here are detailed insights into the Integrated Data Store:
Origin and Development
Integrated Data Store was developed by General Electric (GE) in the 1960s. It was one of the earliest implementations of a database management system that supported the network database model, which was a precursor to the relational model that would become widespread later.
Key Features
- Network Model: IDS was designed around the network model, allowing for multiple parent-child relationships, which was more complex than the hierarchical model but still lacked the flexibility of the later relational models.
- Data Independence: It introduced the concept of data independence, where the application programs were insulated from changes in the physical data storage structure.
- Transaction Processing: IDS was built with a focus on transaction processing, making it suitable for environments requiring high transaction throughput.
- Data Sharing: It facilitated data sharing across different applications by allowing a shared database where records could be accessed and updated by multiple programs.
Historical Context
The development of IDS occurred at a time when computing was shifting from batch processing to real-time, online transaction processing. GE's Integrated Data Store was instrumental in this transition:
- It was used in GE's Information Services Division for their online time-sharing system, known as GE 400 series computers.
- IDS influenced the development of the CODASYL (Conference on Data Systems Languages) database standards, which aimed to standardize database languages and structures.
Legacy and Impact
Although Integrated Data Store itself did not become a widely used commercial product, its concepts and design principles had a profound impact:
- The ideas from IDS were carried forward into the Database Task Group (DBTG) model, which further influenced database system design.
- The network model of IDS inspired other database systems like IDMS (Integrated Database Management System) by Cullinet.
Sources and Further Reading
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