CHAPTER 02

1. Data: Data is a collection of raw facts or figures, usually in a numerical or quantitative format.
Data can be represented in various forms, including text, images, audio, and video. Data by itself
has no inherent meaning or value until it is interpreted or analyzed.
2. Information: Information is the processed and organized form of data that has been
transformed into a meaningful context. Information provides meaning and significance to data
by putting it into a specific context, which makes it useful and actionable. Information can be
communicated through various channels, including reports, charts, graphs, and dashboards.
3. Knowledge: Knowledge is the understanding, insights, and skills that are derived from
information and experience. It is the result of the application of information to solve problems,
make decisions, and create new knowledge. Knowledge is more than just information because it
involves the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information to create new insights and
perspectives.
What are the main functions of a database management system, and how is it different
from a database?
A database is an organized collection of data that can be accessed, managed, and updated efficiently. A
database management system (DBMS) is software that allows users to define, create, and maintain a
database, and provides tools for data storage, retrieval, and analysis. The main functions of a DBMS are:
1. Data Manipulation: A DBMS provides tools for inserting, updating, and deleting data in the
database. It also provides tools for querying the database to retrieve data based on specific
criteria.
2. Data Security: A DBMS provides mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users can access
the database, and that the data is protected from unauthorized access, corruption, and loss.
3. Data Integrity: A DBMS ensures that the data in the database is accurate, consistent, and
complete, by enforcing constraints and validating input data.
4. Data Backup and Recovery: A DBMS provides tools for creating backups of the database, and for
recovering data in case of a system failure, data corruption, or other disaster.
file-oriented data structures: File-oriented data structures are data structures that are designed to
store and manipulate data in a file or a collection of files. They are commonly used in programming and
computer science to manage large volumes of data that need to be stored and accessed efficiently.
Some examples of file-oriented data structures include:
 Arrays: Arrays are a collection of data items that are stored in a contiguous block of memory.
They are a popular data structure for storing data in files because they can be easily read and
written in blocks.
 Linked lists: Linked lists are a data structure that consists of a sequence of nodes, where each
node contains a reference to the next node in the sequence. They are commonly used in file
systems to organize data in a hierarchical manner.
Hierarchical Database Model: The hierarchical database model is a type of database model in which
data is organized in a tree-like structure, with each record having a single parent or owner. The structure
is rigid, and the relationships between records are predefined and fixed.
 In this model, data is stored in a series of records, with each record containing a set of fields or
attributes. Each record is linked to one or more child records, forming a hierarchical tree
structure. The top level of the hierarchy is called the root, and all other records are organized
below it.
  One of the main advantages of the hierarchical database model is its simplicity and efficiency in
handling large amounts of data. It is also easy to implement, as it requires minimal software to
manage the data.
Network Database Model: The network database model is a type of data model used for organizing
and representing data in a database system. It was developed in the 1960s as an improvement over the
hierarchical model, which only allowed for a strict one-to-many relationship between records.
 In the network model, records can have multiple parent and child records, allowing for a more
flexible and complex data structure. The model is based on the concept of a graph, with records
represented as nodes and relationships represented as edges connecting the nodes.
 One of the benefits of the network model is its ability to represent complex relationships
between data in a flexible way. However, it can be more difficult to maintain and update than
other models, and its use has been largely superseded by the relational model in modern
database systems.
RELATIONAL DATABASE MODEL: The relational database model is a type of database
model that organizes data into one or more tables (or relations), where each table represents a specific
entity or relationship. In this model, the data is structured in a way that allows for easy retrieval,
manipulation, and storage of information.
Here are some key concepts of the relational database model:
 Tables: Tables are the main components of a relational database. Each table is a collection of
related data organized into rows and columns.
 Columns: Columns, also known as fields or attributes, represent specific pieces of information
within a table. For example, a customer table might have columns for customer name, address,
and phone number.
 Rows: Rows, also known as records or tuples, represent a single instance of data within a table.
Each row contains values for each column in the table.
 Relationships: Relationships between tables are established by creating keys. A key is a field or
combination of fields that uniquely identifies each row in a table. By creating a key in one table
that matches a key in another table, we can create a relationship between those two tables.
 Primary keys: A primary key is a column or combination of columns that uniquely identifies each
row in a table. Primary keys are used to enforce data integrity and ensure that each row in a
table is unique.
 Foreign keys: A foreign key is a column or combination of columns that refer to a primary key in
another table. Foreign keys are used to establish relationships between tables.
Query - a question you ask about the data stored in a database.
1. A select query allows you to ask a question based on one or more tables in a database.
2. An action query performs an action on the table on which it is based.
3. A cross-tab query performs calculations on the values in a field and displays the results in a
datasheet.

FORMS AND REPORTS

Similarities:
1. Both forms and reports are used to display information from a database in a user-friendly
format.
2. They can both be designed to include various data fields and provide filtering options to make
data searching and viewing easier.
 3. Both can be used to present summarized or aggregated data based on certain criteria or
parameters.
Differences:
1. Forms are used for data entry or modification, while reports are used for presenting data in a
readable format.
2. Forms are interactive, meaning users can input, edit, or delete data, while reports are static and
read-only.
3. Forms allow users to input data into a database, while reports pull data from the database.