This document provides an overview of the first lecture in a database management systems course. It introduces databases and their advantages over prior file processing systems. It defines what a database is, including that it is a shared collection of logically related data used by an organization. It also explains that databases model real-world systems through integrated records and provide benefits like data sharing, independence, redundancy control, and better integrity over file processing systems which had issues like duplication and inconsistency. The lecture aims to provide a very basic introduction and familiarize students with database design stages and tools.