Discovering

Computers
Fundamentals
Fifth Edition

Chapter 9
Database
Management

Chapter 9 Objectives

Define the term, database

Discuss the functions
common to most DBMSs
Identify the qualities
of valuable information
Describe characteristics of
relational, object-oriented, and
Discuss the terms character, multidimensional databases
field, record, and file
Explain how to interact with Web databases

Identify file maintenance techniques

Discuss the responsibilities of
database analysts and administrators
Differentiate between a file processing
system approach and the database approach

Next

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 Databases, Data and Information
What is a database?

Collection of data
Database software
organized so
Database software also called database
you can access,
allows you to management system
retrieve, and
(DBMS)
use it
Create
Create forms
database and
Add, Sort reports
change, and
and delete retrieve
data data

Next
p. 332

Data and Information

How are data and information related?
 Data is raw facts
 Information is data that is organized and meaningful
 Computers process data into information

Next
p. 332 - 333 Fig. 9-1

2
 Data and Information
What is data integrity?
 Defines the quality of Garbage in
the data
 Garbage in, garbage
out (GIGO)—computer
phrase that means you
cannot create correct Garbage out

information from
incorrect data

Data integrity
is lost

Next
p. 333

Data and Information

What are the qualities of valuable information?
Accurate

Verifiable

Timely

Organized

Accessible

Useful

Cost-effective

Next
p. 334

3
 The Hierarchy of Data
What is a hierarchy?
 Database contains files, file contains records, record
contains fields, field contains characters

Next
p. 334 - 335 Fig. 9-2

The Hierarchy of Data

What is a field?
 Combination of one or more
characters
 Smallest unit of data user accesses
 Field name uniquely identifies each
field
 Field size defines the maximum
number of characters a field can
contain
 Data type specifies the kind of data a
field contains

Next
p. 335 Fig. 9-3

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 The Hierarchy of Data
What are common data types?

Text Numeric AutoNumber

(also called numbers unique number automatically
alphanumeric)—letters, only assigned to each new record
numbers, or special
characters

Currency Date Memo

dollar and cent amounts or month, day, year, and lengthy text entries
numbers containing decimal sometimes time
values

Object
Yes/No Hyperlink photograph, audio, video, or
only the values Yes or Web address that links to document created in other
No (or True or False) document or Web page application such as word
processing or spreadsheet

Next
p. 335

The Hierarchy of Data

What is a record?

Group of
related fields

Key field, or primary key,

uniquely identifies each record

Next
p. 336

5
 Database Management Systems
What is a data dictionary?
 Contains data about each file in database and each
field within those files

Next
p. 343 Fig. 9-12

Database Management Systems

What is a query?
 Request for specific
data from a
database
 Query language
consists of simple,
English-like
statements that
allow users to
specify data to
display, print, or
store

Next
p. 344 Fig. 9-13

6
 Database Management Systems
What is a form?
 Window on screen that provides areas for entering or
changing data in database
 Used to retrieve and maintain data in a database
 Well-designed forms should validate data as it is
entered

Next
p. 345

Database Management Systems

What is a report generator?
 Allows user to design a report on screen, retrieve
data into report design, then display or print
reports
 Also called
report writer

Next
p. 346 Fig. 9-15

7
 Database Management Systems
What are popular database management systems (DBMSs)?

Next
p. 343 Fig. 9-11

Database Management Systems

What are backup and log?
 Backup is a copy of the entire database
 A continuous backup is a backup plan in which all
data is backed up whenever a change is made
 Log is a listing of activities that change database
contents
 A recovery utility uses the logs and/or backups to
restore a database when it becomes damaged or
destroyed

Next
p. 346

8
 Maintaining Data
What is validation?
 Process of comparing data with a set of rules to
find out if data is correct
 Reduce data entry errors and enhance data
integrity before program writes data on disk

Next
p. 339 Fig. 9-8

Maintaining Data
What are the types of validity checks?
Check Digit Alphabetic/ Completeness
number(s) or Numeric Check Check
character(s) ensures correct verifies that a
appended to or type of data required field
inserted into a entered contains data
primary key value
to confirm Consistency
Range Check
accuracy of Check
determines
primary key value tests for logical
whether number is
within specified relationship
range between two or
more fields

Next
p. 339 - 340

9
 File Processing Versus Databases
What is a file processing system?

Each
Records in one
department or
file may not
area within May have
relate to
organization weaknesses
records in any
has own set of
other file
files

Data Isolated
redundancy— data—data
same fields stored in
stored in separate files
multiple files so it is
difficult to
access

Next
p. 341

File Processing Versus Databases

What is the database approach?
 Many programs and users can share data in database
 Secures data so only authorized users can access
certain data

Next
p. 341 Fig. 9-9

10
 File Processing Versus Databases
What are the strengths of the database approach?

Reduced
data
redundancy Improved
data
integrity
Shared
data
Easier
access
Reduced
development
time

Next
p. 342

Database Management Systems

What is data security?

Access privileges
DBMS provides define activities
means to ensure that a specific
only authorized user or group of
users can access users can
data at permitted perform
times

user can
user can
view data,
view and
but cannot
change data
change it

Next
p. 346

11
 Relational, Object-Oriented, and Multidimensional Databases

What is a data model?

 Rules and standards that define how database
organizes data
 Defines how users view organization of data
 Three popular data models
 Relational
 Object-oriented
 Multidimensional

Next
p. 347

Relational, Object-Oriented, and Multidimensional Databases

What is a relational database?

 Stores data in tables that consist of rows and columns
 Each row has primary key
 Each column has unique name
 Stores data relationships
 Uses specialized terminology

Next
p. 347 - 348 Fig. 9-16

12
 Relational, Object-Oriented, and Multidimensional Databases

What is a relationship?
 Connection
within data

Next
p. 348 Fig. 9-17

Relational, Object-Oriented, and Multidimensional Databases

What is Structured Query Language (SQL)?

 Allows you to manage, update, and retrieve data
 Has special keywords and rules included in SQL
statements

Next
p. 348 - 349 Fig. 9-18

13
 Relational, Object-Oriented, and Multidimensional Databases

What is an object-oriented database (OODB)?

Object is item that contains data,
Stores data in objects as well as actions that read or
process data

 Stores more types of data

 Can access data faster
Advantages  Programmers can reuse
objects

Often uses object query language (OQL)

Next
p. 349

Relational, Object-Oriented, and Multidimensional Databases

What is a multidimensional database?

Stores data in
dimensions

Allow users to analyze any

view of data

Can consolidate data much

faster than relational database

Next
p. 349

14
 Relational, Object-Oriented, and Multidimensional Databases

What is a data warehouse?

Huge database system that stores and manages data
required to analyze historical and current
transactions
Quick and efficient
way to access large Data mart is smaller version of
amounts of data data warehouse

Uses
multidimensional
databases

Next
p. 349

Web Databases
What is a Web database?
 Database you access through the Web by filling in a form
on a Web page
 Usually resides on a database server, a computer that
stores and provides access to a database

Next
p. 350 Fig. 9-19

15
 Database Administration
What is the role of the database analyst and
administrator?
Database analyst (DA) Database administrator
 Decides proper placement (DBA)
of fields, defines  Creates and maintains data
relationships, and dictionary, manages
identifies users’ access database security,
privileges monitors database
performance, and checks
backup and recovery
procedures

Next
p. 351

Summary of Database Management

How data and information are

valuable assets to an organization
Advantages of organizing
data in a database
Methods for maintaining
high-quality data
Various types of databases
Assessing the quality of
valuable information
Role of the database
analysts and administrators

Chapter 9 Complete

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