IT 476 Week 1 Assignment
1A)
A database is a collection of related pieces of data stored in an organized structure that
allows for efficient entry, removal and manipulation. On the other hand, database
management systems (DBMS) are complex software used to store and manage databases
(Nordeen, 2022). Therefore, a database is a structured collection data stored electronically on
a computer while a DBMS is the program used to create, administer and process a database.
Every database is a structured repository of data or records, and each database needs a
software system to manage and interact with the data, which is a DBMS. Popular DMBS
versions include Microsoft Access, MySQL, Oracle and Microsoft SQL server.
1B)
Data refers to characters, symbols and quantities on which computers perform
electronic actions such as storage and transmission. Data can be recorded on magnetic,
mechanical or optical media to capture, transfer and access them. Data can also be described
as a collection of discrete and continuous values that convey information by describing the
quantity, statistics, qualities and other basic units of meaning that electronically represent
real-life objects.
Metadata refers to pieces of data whose sole purpose is to describe and provide more
information about data. Metadata cannot exist on its own and is meant to provide a structured
reference that identifies the attributes of information it describes (Baca, 2016). Metadata is
therefore a shorthand representation of other data, and can be thought of as reference to data.
Information can be defined as the output of analyzing, structuring, interpreting and
processing various forms of data that are related to each other. Therefore, a database can be
understood as an organized collection of related information.
2. School data in a row-column format
School Name School District No. of Students
Arlington Traditional Elementary Arlington Public Schools 669
School
Oak Street Elementary School Falls Church City Public 526
Schools
Innovation Elementary School Arlington Public Schools 470
Waxpool Elementary School Loundoun County Public 702
Schools
Taylor Elementary School Arlington Public Schools 539
Jamestown Elementary School Arlington Public Schools 482
Tabb Elementary School York County School Division 644
Old Donation School Virginia Beach City Public 1,335
Schools
Coventry Elementary School York County School Division 623
Dare Elementary School York County School Division 380
Bethel Manor Elementary School York County School Division 622
Kent Gardens Elementary School Fairfax County Public Schools 1,023
References
Baca, M. (Ed.). (2016). Introduction to metadata. Getty Publications.
Nordeen, A. (2022). Learn DBMS in 24 Hours. Guru99.
