This document provides an introduction to database management systems (DBMS). It defines a DBMS as a systematic way to create, retrieve, update, and manage data. A DBMS allows data like text, numbers, images, videos, and sounds to be collected and stored together as a database. Examples of DBMS applications include telephone systems for contact details, Facebook for user information and connections, online shopping, and supermarket inventory systems. The document also discusses traditional databases, multimedia databases, and geographic information systems.