Relational, ObjectOriented, and
Multi dimensional
Databases
Relational Databases
A relational database is a database that
stores data in tables that consist of rows and
columns.
Each row has a primary key and each column
has a unique name
A relational database uses terms different from
a file processing system.
A developer of a relational database refers to a
file as a relation, a record as a tuple, and a
field as an attribute. A user of a relational
database, by contrast, refers to a file as a
table, a record as a row, and a field as a
column.
DATA TERMINOLOGY
File Processing Environment
Relational Database
Developer
Relational Database User
File
Relation
Table
Record
Tuple
Row
Field
Attribute
column
In addition to storing data, a relational database
also stores data relationships.
A relationship is a link within the data. In a
relational database, you can set up a
relationship between tables at any time.
In a relational database, the only data
redundancy (duplication) exists in the common
columns (fields). The database uses these
common columns for relationships.
Many organizations use relational databases for
payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable,
general ledger, inventory, order entry,
invoicing, and other business-related functions.
Object-Oriented
Databases
An object-oriented database (OODB) stores data in
objects.
An object is an item that contains data, as well as the
actions that read or process the data. A Student
object, for example, might contain data about a
student such as Student ID, First Name, Last Name,
Address, and so on. It also could contain instructions
about how to print a student transcript or the formula
required to calculate a students grade point average.
Object-oriented databases have several advantages
compared with relational databases
they can store more types of data, access this data
faster, and allow programmers to reuse objects.
Object Query Language Object-oriented
databases often use a query language called
object query language (OQL) to manipulate and
retrieve data. OQL is similar to SQL. OQL and
SQL use many of the same rules, grammar, and
keywords. Because OQL is a relatively new
query language, not all object databases
support it.
Multidimensional
Databases
A multidimensional database stores data in
dimensions.
Whereas a relational database is a two-dimensional
table, a multidimensional database can store more than
two dimensions of data.
No standard query language exists for multidimensional
databases. Each database uses its own language. Most
are similar to SQL.
Data Warehouse is a huge database that stores and
manages the data required to analyze historical and
current transactions.
A smaller version of a data warehouse is the data mart.
A data mart contains a database that helps a specific
group or department make decisions.
Web Databases
Some Web databases are collaborative
databases, where users store and share photos,
videos, recordings, and other personal media with
other registered users
To access data in a Web database, you fill in a
form or enter search text on a Web page. Many
search engines such as Yahoo! use databases to
store Web site descriptions.
To access the database, you enter search text
into the search engine. A Web database usually
resides on a database server. A database server
is a computer that stores and provides access to
a database.
Database
Administration
Managing a companys database requires a
great deal of coordination. The role of
coordinating the use of the database belongs to
the database analysts and administrators. To
carry out their responsibilities, these IT
(information technology) professionals follow
database design guidelines and need
cooperation from all database users.
Database Design
Guidelines
Role of the Database
Analysts and
Administrators
The database analysts and administrators are
responsible for managing and coordinating all database
activities. The database analyst (DA) decides on the
proper placement of fields, defines the relationships
among data, and identifies users access privileges.
The database administrator (DBA) requires a more
technical inside view of the data. The DBA creates and
maintains the data dictionary, manages security of the
database, monitors the performance of the database,
and checks backup and recovery procedures.
In small companies, one person often is both the DA
and DBA. In larger companies, the responsibilities of
the DA and DBA are split among two or more people.
Role of the Employee
as a User
Employees should learn how to use the data in
the database effectively. The amount of
information available often amazes first-time
database users. Instant access to information
helps employees perform their jobs more
effectively.
Today, employees access databases from their
office desktop computers, notebook computers,
or even smart phones and other mobile
devices.
The maintenance of a database is an ongoing
task that organizations measure constantly
against their overall goals.
