Briefly describe the components of database systems.

The term 'Database' refers to an organization of components that define and regulate the collection, storage, management and use of the data within a database environment. It is composed of the five major parts: Hardware: Hardware refers to all of the system's physical devices. Example: computers, storage devices, printers, network devices etc. Software: Software is encoded information or computer instructions. Example: system software and application software. People: People include all users of the database system. Example: System administrator, end user, programmer, database administrator etc. Procedures: Procedures are the instructions and rules that govern the design and use of the database system. Data: Data covers the collection of facts stored in the database. It is the raw material from which information is generated.