Explain the key characteristics of a Database Management System (DBMS) and how they differ from a traditional file storage system.

A Database Management System (DBMS) is a software system that enables users to define, create, maintain and control access to the database. The key characteristics of a DBMS are as follows:

1. Data Abstraction: DBMS provides a level of abstraction to the users by hiding the complexities of data storage. Users interact with the system through a set of application programs.

2. Data Independence: Changes in the physical storage or hardware require minimal or no changes to the application programs.

3. Efficient Data Access: DBMS utilizes a variety of sophisticated techniques to store and retrieve data efficiently. This feature is especially important if the amount of data is large.

4. Data Integrity and Security: DBMS provides mechanisms to enforce user-defined constraints on the data, ensuring data integrity. It also protects the data from unauthorized access.

5. Data Administration: DBMS provides tools to manage, monitor, and control the data. These include performance monitoring, backup and recovery, and query optimization tools.

6. Concurrent Access and Crash Recovery: DBMS supports multiple users accessing the database concurrently. It also protects the system from crashes by maintaining logs and backups.

7. Reduced Application Development Time: Since the DBMS handles most of the complex tasks related to data management, the time and effort required to develop applications are significantly reduced.

On the other hand, a traditional file storage system is a method of storing data in a computer system. It involves organizing and storing data in files on storage devices like hard drives, SSDs, or optical disks. Here's how it differs from a DBMS:

1. Data Redundancy and Inconsistency: In a file system, the same data may be duplicated in several files, leading to redundancy and inconsistency. In contrast, a DBMS controls redundancy by storing data in one place.

2. Data Isolation: In a file system, data is often scattered in various files, and it's difficult to obtain related data from different files. A DBMS, however, provides a unified view of the data.

3. Concurrent Access Anomalies: A file system does not provide mechanisms to control concurrent access to data, leading to inconsistencies. A DBMS, on the other hand, manages concurrent access to ensure data consistency.

4. Security Issues: File systems do not provide robust security mechanisms, making data vulnerable to unauthorized access. DBMSs have strong security features to protect data.

5. Lack of Data Integrity: File systems do not have mechanisms to enforce data integrity constraints. In contrast, DBMSs provide such mechanisms.

In summary, while both DBMS and traditional file storage systems are methods of managing data, a DBMS provides a more sophisticated, efficient, and secure way of handling data.