This document discusses databases and database management systems (DBMS). It defines a database as a collection of organized data and a DBMS as the collection of programs that allow users to access, manipulate, and represent data. The document outlines the architecture of DBMS including three levels of data abstraction. It describes hierarchical, network, and relational database models and notes that the relational model is most widely used. Advantages of DBMS include data sharing and consistency while disadvantages include costs and potential for failure. The document lists applications of databases such as banking, airlines, and universities.