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Introduction to Databases 5min Lesson

The document provides an introduction to databases, covering their historical context, the distinction between data and information, and key database concepts such as data types, fields, records, and relationships. It explains the importance of relational databases in organizing data efficiently and minimizing redundancy through the use of primary and foreign keys. Additionally, it highlights the potential risks of SQL injection attacks on databases.

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8 views

Introduction to Databases 5min Lesson

The document provides an introduction to databases, covering their historical context, the distinction between data and information, and key database concepts such as data types, fields, records, and relationships. It explains the importance of relational databases in organizing data efficiently and minimizing redundancy through the use of primary and foreign keys. Additionally, it highlights the potential risks of SQL injection attacks on databases.

Uploaded by

wba59179
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to

Databases
HoweTOComputing
Knowledge Review
Can you write a question for this answer ?
History of a Database
▪ Databases are not a new invention, they have existed for
thousands of years.
▪ Ancient cultures collected information about populations,
trade records, taxes etc...
▪ In 1086 William the Conqueror commissioned a complete
catalogue of everything in the country. Every piece of land,
every man, woman, child, even the animals they owned.
▪ It was called the Doomsday book, meaning ‘judgement day’.
Data vs Information
What does the word data mean?
▪ Data is unorganised raw facts that need processing
without which it is seemingly random and useless to
humans.
▪ Information is a processed,
organised data presented
in a given context and is
useful to humans.
Databases
▪ The world uses and needed to keep large amounts
of data. A company will store data about its
customers and staff, schools store data about the
students, hospitals hold data on patients,
supermarkets store data about stock levels and
customer buying patterns.

▪ In most cases, this data is stored on electronic


databases. These allow the data to be analysed so
that patterns and trends can be found.
Data types
▪ Different types of data are represented in different ways inside a
computer and need varying amounts of memory to store them.

Data type Definition Example


String A collection of alphanumeric characters Hello World
(e.g. letters, numbers, symbols)

Integer A whole number 55

Real A Decimal number 0.78

Boolean True or False True

Char A single character of alphanumeric M


characters
Database key terms
▪ A single item of data is stored in a named FIELD
▪ A complete set of fields makes up a RECORD
▪ All the records are stored in a TABLE or ‘ENTITY’
▪ One or more tables then make up the database FILE
Database key terms
▪ A database uses a primary key as a unique identifier
for each record in the table. It is usually a field that
is guaranteed to hold unique information for each
recorded.
Database key terms
▪ Some data within the table is repeated over and over
again.
▪ Repeated data in a database is generally considered
a bad thing. As It wastes space in the database and it
takes time to input, typing the same data over and
over which could leads to mistakes within the data.
This is know as Data redundancy.
▪ The solution is to split the data, the repeating data is
removed from the main table, and placed in a table
of its own to create a relational database.
Database key terms
One table Student (contains data directly related to
students) and one table for Class (contains data directly
related to classes).

Both tables are independent, and each one has its own
primary key.
This has lead to no repeating-data so no data
redundancy within the Database.
Relational databases key terms
▪ Relational databases allow data to be stored in a
clear, organised manner across multiple tables. Links,
known as relationships, are formed to allow the data
to be shared across the tables.
▪ An ‘Entity’ is a group of closely related items about a
subject
▪ Foreign key is a link to a primary key on another
table in a relational database table.
Relational databases key terms
▪ Relational databases allow data to be stored in a
clear, organised manner across multiple tables. Links,
known as relationships, are formed to allow the data
to be shared across the tables.
▪ An ‘Entity’ is a group of closely related items about a
subject
▪ Foreign key is a link to a primary key on another
table in a relational database table.
Database Relationships
Relationship within a database is the link between the
tables. There are three relationships:
▪ One to one - e.g. One employee belongs to one
organization or One person has one passport
▪ One to many - One customer to lots of products
▪ Many to many - students and classes
Revision Notes
Open the Database revision
notes and complete the each
section with your own notes
and work examples.

Answers:
1. Primary keys
RunValuseID
RunID
Foreign Key:
RunID
2. One to Many
3. Increase in database size
Increase in data corruption
Possible data inconsistency
Increase in cost
Additional reading and useful links
▪
▪
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zfd2fg8/revision/1

▪
https://www.computerscience.gcse.guru/theory/what-is-a-database

▪
https://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/databases/terminology/miniweb/index.htm
https://isaaccomputerscience.org/topics/databases
Exam Question
SQL injection is a code injection technique that might destroy your
database.
https://www.guru99.com/learn-sql-injection-with-practical-example.html

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