What students need to learn

17.1 Database applications

17.1.1 Understand why database software is used to hold and manipulate data

17.1.2 Understand how the features of a database are affected by the requirements of a given context.

17.1.3 Be able to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of database features for a given scenario.

What is Database Management Software (DBMS) used for?

A Database Management Software or DBMS is used for storing, manipulating, and managing data in a
database environment. It enables users to design a personalized database engine to meet their analytics
and reporting needs. Database software design also supports creating, implementing, and maintaining an
organization-wide data management system.

Generally, most DBMS packages allow users to perform operations like database creation, storing data,
updating data through SQL queries.

Over the years, new database management systems has been introduced with different architecture and
application focus to meet the high performance modern-day requirements., providing support for data
modeling, data integration, multimedia data, machine learning etc.

An example of a typical database management tool would be MySQL, a managed database service to
deploy cloud-native database applications. Other options include Microsoft SQL Server, SAP HANA,
Oracle, and Microsoft Access.

Main Features of a DBMS

An efficient database management system tool should include the following features:

Data Normalization

The risk of data duplication in a database is relatively high as multiple users share it simultaneously. Data
normalization mitigates this risk and minimizes the chance of destructive anomalies appearing. No data
redundancy and repetition save storage and significantly improve access time.

User-defined rules and constraints

Referential Integrity constraints help organizations prevent accidental damage to the database by
authorized users. A database management software allows users to define validation and integrity rules
and conditions to ensure data satisfies the semantics.

Security protocols

Security controls protect the integrity of a database and the data and records residing in it. Some essential
DBMS security controls include data encryption, user authentication, and user authorization.
Data backup

A backup protects your database against data loss. A copy of files stored in a database must be available
to reconstruct data in case data get lost or corrupted. Most DBMS support logical and physical data
backup.

Data structuring

A DBMS must allow users to organize information in a database in a clear hierarchical structure. It means
all objects, records, and tables can be arranged systematically, like a catalog, so the records can easily be
accessed and retrieved. In addition, you must also look for various features and functionality depending
on your use case. For example, a DBMS should offer easy database customization options, support multi-
user access, and contain a metadata library.

Types of Database Management Software

These can be broadly classified into four types. The most popular types of database management systems
with examples include:

1- Hierarchical

A hierarchical Data management solution stores data in a parent-children relationship node, each
representing a particular entity. This type of database management software allows one-to-one and one-
to-many relationships, i.e., a parent node can have one or multiple child nodes, whereas the children node
can only have one parent node.
2- Network

A network DBMS is a model that supports many-to-many relationships, which helps store real-life
relationships between entities. It is an extension of the hierarchical data management soluution that
allows modelers to design a more flexible model. In this type of DBMS model, the child nodes are
represented by arrows.

3- Relational

A relational DBMS is a model where relationships are based on the entities’ data. Compared to hierarchical
and network models, it offers greater flexibility and allows for more simplified relationships between
entities, making it a popular choice among data modelers. Data stored in fixed structures can be organized
efficiently using SQL.
4- Object-Oriented

An Object-Oriented DBMS — as the name suggests — is based

Advantages of a Database Management Software

Now that we have familiarized ourselves with the definition of database management and the types of
DBM software, let’s move ahead and look at the functions and benefits of database management system:

Better Data Sharing

Implementing a DBMS allows onsite and remote users to share the data by following the correct
authorization protocols quickly. It helps improve data accessibility, enabling users to share the
organizational data swiftly and efficiently. The improved data processes provide a smart solution to
database queries, even the ad-hoc and impromptu ones. It results in accurate and swift data access,
facilitating more informed and timely decision-making.

Better Security

Data security is a vital aspect of a database. A Data management solution only allows authorized users to
access the database. The authentication is managed using a username and password. Controlled user
access prevents unauthorized users from accessing resources in a database, which can potentially violate
the integrity constraints.

Effective Data Integration

A DBMS provides an integrated picture — a bird’s eye view, so to speak — of the operations and processes
of an organization. The unified data allows companies to evaluate the controls and performance
effectively and quickly.

Informed Decision-Making

Data-driven decision-making can give businesses a competitive advantage, but data is valuable for
decision-making only when it is reliable. Organizations can ensure data accuracy and quality trusted for
analysis and decision-making using a DBMS.
Increase In Efficiency and Productivity

Deploying a DBMS help increase data accessibility and streamline information. It boosts the end-user
productivity and leads to improved efficiency and speed for an organization.

Data Integration

Instead of storing data in isolated database systems, a single interface can manage databases with physical
and logical relationships.

Applications of Database Management Software - Following are some of the applications of database
software in different industries:

Banks: In the banking sector, DBMS is used to store client info, account activities, disbursements, credits,
and mortgages

Airlines: Flight bookings and scheduling info is stored in databases.

Education: Student information, course registrations, and results are accumulated in database systems.

Telecommunication: Databases store call archives, monthly bills, retaining balances, and other call-related
information.

Economics and Finance: DBMS stores data about bonds, transactions, and acquisitions of fiscal
instruments, such as shares and stocks.

Sales and Marketing: Prospect and customer information is stored and accessed via databases.

Human Resources: Records about workers, remunerations, payroll, deduction, generating salaries, and
more information are kept in database systems.

17.2 User needs

17.2.1 Be able to analyse the needs of users in a range of contexts.

17.2.2 Be able to apply understanding of user characteristics to develop appropriate database solutions.

17.2.3 Be able to evaluate the appropriateness of the design of a database for specific user needs and
suggest improvements.

17.3 User experience

17.3.1 Understand how the characteristics of the user affect aspects of the database design:

a. interface type (textual, graphical)

b. interface characteristics (colour, typeface, etc.)

d. use of language

e. compatibility.

17.3.2 Understand how the design of a database solution can affect user experience:

a. interface design

b. ease of use

c. appropriateness of features

d. efficiency

e. user help

f. compatibility

g. stability

h. data accuracy.

17.3.3 Be able to apply understanding of user characteristics to develop database solutions that give a
suitable user experience.

We designers design products with research, findings and observation from our users. There is no other
way to validate our hypothesis that we have decided and made during the process of designing the
products. The only way that validate these assumptions is data. If we are relying on the instinct or best
practices to make decisions without performing any data-driven investigation, you risk wasting money on
changes to design choices that are ineffective or worth not a penny.

The right use, validation, and interpretation of these data help in improving the performance of the
product usage as well which also can be measured in figures. Even the best designers in the world cannot
predict what users want. It’s the process of learning from our users, which ensures that users problem is
solved and their needs is premier to our product’s success and this all needs to be iterative.