Scribd
Upload
24 views18 pages

CE Lecture 5

Uploaded by

umar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
24 views18 pages

CE Lecture 5

Uploaded by

umar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 18

Introduction

to Databases
Muhammad Umar Nasir
MLT
What is a database?

A database is a storage
space for content /
information (data)
But what is data?
And where is it now?
Data is factual information about objects and
concepts, such as:
• measurements
• statistics

You can find it in:


 filing cabinets
 spreadsheets
 folders
 ledgers
 lists
 colleagues’ memories
 piles of papers on your desk
What does “managing
information” mean?
• Making information work for us

• Making information useful

• Avoiding "accidental disorganisation”

• Making information easily accessible


and integrated with the rest of our work
Managing as re-organising
We often need to access and re-sort
data for various uses. These may
include:
– Creating mailing lists
– Writing management reports
– Generating lists of selected news stories
– Identifying various client needs

Can you add to the list?


Managing as re-processing
The processing power of a database
allows it to:
 Sort
 Match
 Link
 Aggregate
 Skip fields
 Calculate
 Arrange
Databases everywhere!
Because of the versatility of databases,
we find them powering all sorts of
projects:
 A web site that is capturing registered users
 A client tracking application for social service organisations
 A medical record system for a health care facility
 Your personal address book in your e-mail client
 A collection of word processed documents
 A system that issues airline reservations
Different parts of a
database
• Fields
• Records
• Queries
• Reports
Fields
• Database storage units
• Generic elements of content
Queries
• Queries are the information
retrieval requests you make to the
database
• Your queries are all about the
information you are trying to
gather
Reports

• If the query is a question...


...then the report is its answer
• Reports can be tailored to the
needs of the data-user, making
the information they extract much
more useful
The database
planning process
What kind of database are you
working on?
– Information and referral database

– Contact/client database

– Other
Information and
referral databases
• Store information about service
providers
• Track and match requests for referral
• Use a simple design
• Need to be maintained with up-to-date
and complete information
Contact/client databases
• Store contact information for client base
• Sortable by criteria like:
 Client interests
 Services provided
 Subscription expiry dates
 Last contacted date
DBMS

A Database Management System


(DBMS), or simply a Database
System (DBS) consist of :
 A collection of interrelated and persistent data.
 A set of application programs used to access,
update and manage that data (which form the data
management system (MS)).
Why we use DBMS

Data independence and efficient


access.
 Reduced application development
time.
 Data integrity and security.
 Uniform data administration.
 Concurrent access, recovery from
crashes.
Components DBMS
1-Hardware: Can range from a PC to a network of
computers.
2. Software: DBMS, operating system, network software
(if necessary) and also the application programs.
3. Data: Used by the organization and a description of
this data called the schema.
4. People: Includes database designers, DBAs,
application programmers, and end-users.
5. Procedure: Instructions and rules that should be
applied to the design and use of the database and DBMS.
Conclusion: Database -
the information tool
• A powerful tool for managing
information
• Information first - database second
• Take your co-workers with you
• Include them at all stages of the project planning
process
 Train them properly in the use of the tool
 Develop their understanding of the capacity of the
tool

You might also like