COMP255

Chapter 1
Database Systems

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 Learning Objectives
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Define the difference between data and information
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Describe what a database is, various types, and why they are valuable
assets for decision making
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Explain the importance of database design
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See how modern databases evolved from file systems
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Understand flaws in file system data management
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Outline the main components of the database system
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Describe the main functions of a database management system (DBMS)

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 Why Databases?
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Data are generated every day
– Need a way to store
– Need a way to access
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Databases save data and allow access

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 Key Definitions
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Data ●
Knowledge
– Raw facts – Information and facts about a
– Unprocessed subject
– Building blocks of information – “Familiarity, awareness and
understanding of information”
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Information as it applies in the context
– Data, processed and put into – New knowledge can build
context upon old knowledge
– Basis of knowledge

4
 Valuable Information
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Valuable information is necessary for making good
decisions
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Attributes of valuable information
– Timely
– Accurate
– Relevant
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Databases support all three

5
 Ethical Issues
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Many issues with the amount of data collected
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Everything is tracked
– Data are being stored in private hands
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Is this good?

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 Some More Definitions
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Data Management
– The process of data generation, storage, and retrieval
– Includes: addition, deletion, modification and listing of data
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Metadata
– Data about data
– Includes characteristics and relationships

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 And Some More
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Database
– A system that stores data and metadata
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Database Management System (DBMS)
– Usually computerized
– “The collection of programs that manages the database
structure and controls access to the data stored in the
database.”

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DBMS

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 Advantages of a DBMS
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Improved data sharing
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Improved data security
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Better data integration
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Minimized data inconsistency
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Improved data access
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Improved decision making
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Increased end-user productivity

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 Types of Databases
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See section 1-3b in text
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Users: single, mutliuser, workgroup, enterprise
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Location: centralized, distributed, cloud
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Data stored: general purpose, discipline specific, operational
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Analytic: data warehouse, online analytical processing (OLAP),
business intelligence
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Structure: structured, semistructured, unstructured, extensible
markup language (XML)

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 Database Design
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Designing the database structure
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Well-designed database
– Facilitates data management and generates accurate and
valuable information
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Poorly designed database
– Causes difficult-to-trace errors that may lead to poor
decision making

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Design Issues

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Improved Design

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 In the Beginning...
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Manual file systems
– Paper and pencil
– Files, folders, filing cabinets
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Early computerized systems
– Formatted files, many formats
– Typical file, text with “columns”
– See Customer.txt example in D2L
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Happening again today with PCs and spreadsheets

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Some Definitions

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File System in Use

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 Issues with File Systems
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Many files with related and overlapping data
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No consistent, centralized way to control data
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Files owned by user/department
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Lengthy development times
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Difficulty getting quick answers
– Need to write programs to for ad hoc queries

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 More Issues
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Complex system administration
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Lack of security
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Limited data sharing
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Extensive programming
– Change a file, EVERY program that uses it has to be
changed

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 Even More Issues
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Structural Dependence
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Data Dependence
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Data Redundancy
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Data Anomalies

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 Structural Dependence
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Structural dependence
– Access to a file is dependent on its own structure
– All file system programs are modified to conform to a
new file structure
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Structural independence
– File structure is changed without affecting the
application’s ability to access the data

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 Data Dependence
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Data dependence
– Data access changes when data storage
characteristics change
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Data independence
– Data storage characteristics are changed without
affecting the program’s ability to access the data

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 Data Redundancy
●
Unnecessarily storing the ●
Poor data security
same data at different ●
Data inconsistency
places
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Islands of information (i.e.,
●
Data-entry errors
scattered data locations) ●
Data integrity problems
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Increases the probability of
having different versions of
the same data

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 Data Anomalies
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Develop when not all of the required changes in
the redundant data are made successfully
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Update anomalies
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Insertion anomalies
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Deletion anomalies

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DBMS vs. File Systems

25
Database System Environment

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 DBMS Functions
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Data dictionary management
– Data dictionary: stores definitions of data elements and their relationships
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Data storage management
– Performance tuning ensures efficient performance
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Data transformation and presentation
– Data is formatted to conform to logical expectations
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Security management
– Enforces user security and data privacy

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 DMBS Functions
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Multiuser access control
– Sophisticated algorithms ensure that multiple users can access
the database concurrently without compromising its integrity
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Backup and recovery management
– Enables recovery of the database after a failure
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Data integrity management
– Minimizes redundancy and maximizes consistency

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 DBMS Functions
●
Database access languages and application programming
interfaces
– Query language: lets the user specify what must be done without
having to specify how
– Structured Query Language (SQL): de facto query language and data
access standard supported by the majority of DBMS vendors
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Database communication interfaces
– Accept end-user requests via multiple, different network environments

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 Advantages and Disadvantages
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Lot’s of advantages
– Fixes disadvantages from file systems
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Disadvantages
– Increased costs
– Management complexity
– Maintaining currency
– Vendor dependence
– Frequent upgrade/replacement cycles

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Database Jobs

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