Types of IMS Databases in Mainframe Systems

There are several types of IMS databases that are commonly used in mainframe systems. These include:

• IMS Hierarchical Database: This type of database organizes data in a tree-like structure where each record has only one parent but can have multiple children.
• IMS Network Database: In this type of database, records are organized in a network-like structure where each record can have multiple parents and children, allowing for more complex relationships between records.
• IMS Relational Database: This type of database allows for data to be stored in a tabular format with rows and columns, similar to how data is organized in relational databases like DB2.
• IMS Universal Database: This is a combination of hierarchical, network, and relational database models, offering flexibility in how data is stored and accessed.

Each type of IMS database has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of which type to use will depend on the specific requirements of the mainframe system and applications being supported.