A database management system (DBMS) is software that allows organizations to develop databases for applications and control their creation, organization, and use. A DBMS consists of a collection of persistent data and programs to access, update, and manage that data. Early DBMS used hierarchical and network data models, while most modern DBMS are relational and use SQL. A DBMS provides data independence, security, integrity, and concurrent access. It addresses issues like data redundancy, inconsistency, and isolation that arise without a DBMS.