Module 1 - The Database Environment

This document discusses database management systems and the database environment. It defines key terms like database, data, information, and metadata. It describes the limitations of conventional file processing and the advantages of using a database management system (DBMS), including improved data sharing and consistency. The document outlines the components of the database environment, including the database, DBMS, application programs, and users/administrators. It also examines the evolution and various applications of database systems.

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Module 1 - The Database Environment

Uploaded by

Patrick Roman

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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Database Management Systems

Module 1

The Database Environment

Objectives
• Definition of terms
• Explain growth and importance of databases
• Name limitations of conventional file processing
• Identify five categories of databases
• Explain advantages of databases
• Identify costs and risks of databases
• List components of database environment
• Describe evolution of database systems
Definitions
• Database: organized collection of logically
related data
• Data: stored representations of meaningful
objects and events
– Structured: numbers, text, dates
– Unstructured: images, video, documents
• Information: data processed to increase
knowledge in the person using the data
• Metadata: data that describes the properties and
context of user data
Figure 1-1a Data in context

Context helps users understand data

Figure 1-1b Summarized data

Graphical displays turn data into useful

information that managers can use for
decision making and interpretation
Descriptions of the properties or characteristics of the
data, including data types, field sizes, allowable
values, and data context
Disadvantages of File Processing
• Program-Data Dependence
– All programs maintain metadata for each file they use
• Duplication of Data
– Different systems/programs have separate copies of the same
data
• Limited Data Sharing
– No centralized control of data
• Lengthy Development Times
– Programmers must design their own file formats
• Excessive Program Maintenance
– 80% of information systems budget
Problems with Data Dependency
• Each application programmer must maintain
his/her own data
• Each application program needs to include
code for the metadata of each file
• Each application program must have its own
processing routines for reading, inserting,
updating, and deleting data
• Lack of coordination and central control
• Non-standard file formats
Figure 1-3 Old file processing systems at Pine Valley
Furniture Company
Duplicate Data
Problems with Data Redundancy

• Waste of space to have duplicate data

• Causes more maintenance headaches
• The biggest problem:
– Data changes in one file could cause
inconsistencies
– Compromises in data integrity
SOLUTION:
The DATABASE Approach
• Central repository of shared data
• Data is managed by a controlling
agent
• Stored in a standardized, convenient
form

Requires a Database Management System (DBMS)

Database Management System
◼ A software system that is used to create, maintain, and provide
controlled access to user databases

Order Filing
System

Invoicing Central database

DBMS
System
Contains employee,
order, inventory,
pricing, and
Payroll
System customer data

DBMS manages data resources like an operating system manages hardware resources
Advantages of the Database
Approach
• Program-data independence
• Planned data redundancy
• Improved data consistency
• Improved data sharing
• Increased application development productivity
• Enforcement of standards
• Improved data quality
• Improved data accessibility and responsiveness
• Reduced program maintenance
• Improved decision support
Costs and Risks of the Database
Approach
• New, specialized personnel
• Installation and management cost and
complexity
• Conversion costs
• Need for explicit backup and recovery
• Organizational conflict
Elements of the Database
Approach
• Data models
– Graphical system capturing nature and relationship of data
– Enterprise Data Model–high-level entities and relationships for
the organization
– Project Data Model–more detailed view, matching data structure
in database or data warehouse
• Relational Databases
– Database technology involving tables (relations) representing
entities and primary/foreign keys representing relationships
• Use of Internet Technology
– Networks and telecommunications, distributed databases, client-
server, and 3-tier architectures
• Database Applications
– Application programs used to perform database activities
(create, read, update, and delete) for database users
Figure 1-5 Components of the Database Environment
Components of the
Database Environment
• CASE Tools–computer-aided software engineering
• Repository–centralized storehouse of metadata
• Database Management System (DBMS) –software
for managing the database
• Database–storehouse of the data
• Application Programs–software using the data
• User Interface–text and graphical displays to users
• Data/Database Administrators–personnel
responsible for maintaining the database
• System Developers–personnel responsible for
designing databases and software
• End Users–people who use the applications and
databases
The Range of Database
Applications
• Personal databases
• Workgroup databases
• Departmental/divisional databases
• Enterprise database
Figure 1-6
Typical data
from a
personal
database
Figure 1-7 Workgroup database with wireless
local area network
Enterprise Database Applications
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
– Integrate all enterprise functions
(manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing,
inventory, accounting, human resources)
• Data Warehouse
– Integrated decision support system derived
from various operational databases
Figure 1-8 An enterprise data warehouse
Evolution of DB Systems
Summary
• Database is an organized collection of
logically related data.
• The approaches to data management are
file processing system and database
management system.
• DBMS is a software system that is used to
create, maintain, and provide controlled
access to user databases.