Database Systems: – Complements and expands value of data

Design, Implementation, and Management • Database management system (DBMS):

Eighth Edition collection of programs
– Manage structure and control access to data
Chapter 1
Database Systems Role and Advantages of the DBMS
• DBMS is the intermediary between the user and
Data vs. Information the database
• Data are raw facts • Database structure stored as file collection
• Information is the result of processing raw data • Access database through the DBMS
to reveal meaning • DBMS enables data to be shared
• Information requires context to reveal meaning • DBMS integrates many users’ views of the data
• Raw data must be formatted for storage,
processing, and presentation • Advantages of a DBMS:
• Data are the foundation of information, which is – Improved data sharing
the bedrock of knowledge – Improved data security
• Data: building blocks of information – Better data integration
• Information produced by processing data – Minimized data inconsistency
• Information used to reveal meaning in data – Improved data access
• Accurate, relevant, timely information is the key – Improved decision making
to good decision making – Increased end-user productivity
• Good decision making is the key to organizational
survival Types of Databases
• Databases can be classified according to:
Introducing the Database and the DBMS – Number of users
• Database: shared, integrated computer structure – Database location(s)
that stores a collection of data – Expected type and extent of use
– End-user data: raw facts of interest to the • Single-user database supports only one user at
end user a time
– Metadata: data about data – Desktop database – single-user, runs on
• Metadata provides description of data PC
characteristics and relationships in data
 • Multiuser database supports multiple users at – Generates accurate and valuable
the same time information
– Workgroup database supports a small • Poorly designed database:
number – Causes difficult-to-trace errors
– Enterprise database supports a large
number Historical Roots: Files and File Systems
• Centralized database: data located at a single • Reasons for studying file systems:
site – Complexity of database design easier to
• Distributed database: data distributed across understand
several different sites – Understanding file system problems helps to
• Operational database: supports a company’s avoid problems with DBMS systems
day-to-day operations – Knowledge of file system useful for
– Transactional or production database converting file system to database system
• Data warehouse: stores data used for tactical or • File systems typically composed of collection of
strategic decisions file folders, each tagged and kept in cabinet
• Unstructured data exist in their original state – Organized by expected use
• Structured data result from formatting • Contents of each file folder logically related
– Structure applied based on type of • Manual system served as a data repository for
processing to be performed small data collections
• Semistructured data have been processed to – Cumbersome for large collections
some extent • Data processing (DP) specialist converted
• Extensible Markup Language (XML) computer file structure from manual system
represents data elements in textual format – Wrote software that managed the data
• XML database supports semistructured XML data – Designed the application programs
• Initially, computer files systems resembled
Why Database Design is Important? manual systems
• Database design focuses on design of database • As number of files increased, file systems evolved
structure used for end-user data – Each file used its own application program
– Designer must identify database’s expected to store, retrieve, modify data
use – Each file owned by individual or department
• Well-designed database: that commissioned its creation
– Facilitates data management
 • Data processing (DP) manager supervised the • Structural independence: change file structure
DP department without affecting data access
• DP department’s primary activity remained • Data dependence: data access changes when
programming data storage characteristics change
• Data independence: data storage
Problems with File System Data Management characteristics do not affect data access
• File system an improvement over manual system • Practical significance of data dependence is
– File systems used for more than two difference between logical and physical format
decades • Logical data format: how human views the data
– Understanding the shortcomings of file • Physical data format: how computer must work
systems aids in development of modern with data
databases • Each program must contain:
– Many problems not unique to file systems – Lines specifying opening of specific file type
• Even simple file system retrieval task required – Record specification
extensive programming – Field definitions
– Ad hoc queries impossible
– Changing existing structure difficult Field Definitions and Naming Conventions
• Security features difficult to program • Storing customer name as single field is a liability
– Often omitted in file system environments – Better record definition breaks fields into
• Summary of file system limitations: component parts
– Requires extensive programming • Selecting proper field names important; field
– Can not perform ad hoc queries names are descriptive
– System administration complex and difficult – With proper naming conventions, file
– Difficult to make changes to existing structure becomes self-documenting
structures – Some software places restrictions on length
– Security features likely to be inadequate of field names
• Each record should have unique identifier
Structural and Data Dependence
• Structural dependence: access to a file Data Redundancy
dependent on its own structure • File system structure makes it difficult to combine
– All file system programs must be modified data from multiple sources
to conform to a new file structure – Vulnerable to security breaches
 • Organizational structure promotes storage of – People
same data in different locations – Procedures
– Islands of information – Data
• Data stored in different locations unlikely to be • Hardware: all the system’s physical devices
updated consistently • Software: three types of software required:
• Data redundancy: same data stored – Operating system software
unnecessarily in different places – DBMS software
• Data inconsistency: different and conflicting – Application programs and utility software
versions of same data occur at different places • People: all users of the database system:
• Data anomalies: abnormalities when all changes – System and database administrators
in redundant data not made correctly – Database designers
– Update anomalies – Systems analysts and programmers
– Insertion anomalies – End users
– Deletion anomalies • Procedures: instructions and rules that govern
the design and use of the database system
Database Systems • Data: the collection of facts stored in the
• Database system consists of logically related data database
stored in a single logical data repository • Database systems created and managed at
– May be physically distributed among different levels of complexity
multiple storage facilities • Database solutions must be cost-effective as well
• DBMS eliminates most of file system’s problems as tactically and strategically effective
• Current generation stores data structures, • Database technology already in use affects
relationships between structures, access paths selection of a database system
– Takes care of defining, storing, managing all
access paths and components DBMS Functions
• Most functions transparent to end users
The Database System Environment – Can only be achieved through the DBMS
• Database system: defines and regulates the • Data dictionary management
collection, storage, management, use of data – DBMS stores definitions of data elements
• Five major parts of a database system: and relationships (metadata) in a data
– Hardware dictionary
– Software
 – DBMS looks up required data component – DBMS provides backup and data recovery to
structures and relationships ensure data safety and integrity
– Changes automatically recorded in the – Recovery management deals with recovery
dictionary of database after a failure
– DBMS provides data abstraction, removes • Critical to preserving database’s
structural and data dependency integrity
• Data storage management • Data integrity management
– DBMS creates and manages complex – DBMS promotes and enforces integrity rules
structures required for data storage • Minimizes redundancy
– Also stores related data entry forms, screen • Maximizes consistency
definitions, report definitions, etc. – Data relationships stored in data dictionary
– Performance tuning: activities that make used to enforce data integrity
the database perform more efficiently – Integrity especially important in
– DBMS stores the database in multiple transaction-oriented database systems
physical data files • Database access languages and application
• Data transformation and presentation programming interfaces
– DBMS transforms data entered to conform – DBMS provides access through a query
to required data structures language
– DBMS transforms physically retrieved data – Query language is a nonprocedural
to conform to user’s logical expectations language
• Security management – Structured Query Language (SQL) is the
– DBMS creates a security system that de facto query language
enforces user security and data privacy • Standard supported by majority of
– Security rules determine which users can DBMS vendors
access the database, which items can be • Database communication interfaces
accessed, etc. – Current DBMSs accept end-user requests
• Multiuser access control via multiple different network environments
– DBMS uses sophisticated algorithms to – Communications accomplished in several
ensure concurrent access does not affect ways:
integrity • End users generate answers to
• Backup and recovery management queries by filling in screen forms
through Web browser
 • DBMS automatically publishes • Database design defines the database structure
predefined reports on a Web site • Well-designed database facilitates data
• DBMS connects to third-party systems management, generates valuable
to distribute information via e-mail information
• Poorly-designed database leads to bad
Managing the Database System: decision making, organizational failure
A Shift in Focus • Databases evolved from manual and
• Database system provides a framework in which computerized file systems
strict procedures and standards enforced • In a file system, data stored in independent
– Role of human changes from programming files
to managing organization’s resources • Each requires its own management
• Database system enables more sophisticated use program
of the data • Some limitations of file system data
• Data structures created within the database and management:
their relationships determine effectiveness • Requires extensive programming
• Disadvantages of database systems: • System administration complex and difficult
– Increased costs • Changing existing structures difficult
– Management complexity • Security features likely inadequate
– Maintaining currency • Independent files tend to contain redundant
– Vendor dependence data
– Frequent upgrade/replacement cycles • Structural and data dependency
problems
SUMMARY
• Data are raw facts
• Information is the result of processing data to
reveal its meaning
• Accurate, relevant, timely information is the key
to good decision making
• Data usually stored in a database
• DBMS implements a database and manages its
contents
• Metadata is data about data