Database Basics
Database Basics
DBMS
A database management system (DBMS) is a
set of computer-based application programs
that support the processes of storing,
manipulating, retrieving and presenting the data
within the database.
• Acts as an interface between application
programs & physical data files
[1]
Publishers Books Customers
a field
Record (Row)
Customers
a record
Primary Key
Customers
Directors
• One-to-many
• Many-to-many
Data Types
• Alphanumeric (Text, Memo)
• Numeric (Number, Currency, etc.)
• Date/Time
• Boolean (Yes/No)
Database Environments
• Mainframe
• Client/Server
• Internet-based
Definitions
• Relational database: A collection of tables.
• Table: A collection of columns (attributes) describing an entity. Individual
objects are stored as rows of data in the table.
• Property (attribute): a characteristic or descriptor of a class or entity.
• Every table has a primary key.
– The smallest set of columns that uniquely identifies any row
– Primary keys can span more than one column (concatenated keys)
– We often create a primary key to insure uniqueness (e.g., CustomerID,
Product#, . . .) called a surrogate key.