SEHH2240
DATABASE SYSTEMS
CHAPTER 1
DATABASE SYSTEMS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
In this chapter, you will learn:
What a database is, the various types of databases,
and why they are valuable assets for decision
making
The main components of the database system
The main functions of a database management
system (DBMS)
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INTRODUCING THE DATABASE
Database: shared, integrated computer
structure that stores a collection of:
End-user data: raw facts of interest to end user
Metadata: data about data
Provides description of data characteristics and
relationships in data
Complements and expands value of data
e.g. data type, name…
Table: Student
Metadata
Last Name First Name (Field)
Person #1 Chan Alice End-user data
(Actual data values)
Person #2 Lee Bob
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TYPES OF DATABASES
5 mins to discuss with your classmates
to find out the example of different type of database
Database Example / Where to use
Single-user database
Multiuser database
Centralized database
Operational database
Cloud database
Data Warehouse
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TYPES OF DATABASES (CONT’D.)
Single-user database supports only one user at a time
Desktop database: single-user; runs on PC
Multiuser database supports multiple users at the same
time
Workgroup and enterprise databases
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TYPES OF DATABASES
Centralized database: data located at a single
site
Distributed database: data distributed across
several different sites
Cloud database: Created and maintained using
cloud data services that provide defined
performance measures for the database
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cloud-databases 6
TYPES OF DATABASES (CONT’D.)
Operational database: supports a company’s
day-to-day operations
Transactional or production database
Analytical database: Stores historical data and
business metrics used exclusively for tactical or
strategic decision making
Data warehouse: stores data used for tactical or
strategic decisions
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TYPES OF DATA
Unstructured data exist in their original
state
Structured data result from formatting
Structure applied based on type of processing to
be performed
Semi-structured data have been processed
to some extent
Extensible Markup Language (XML) represents
data elements in textual format
XML database supports semi-structured XML data
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WHY DATABASE BUT
NOT SPREADSHEET?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djEZeF4KTaM
EVOLUTION OF FILE SYSTEM DATA
PROCESSING
Manual File Systems
Accomplished through a system of file folders and filing cabinets
Computerized File Systems
Data processing (DP) specialist: Created a computer-based system that would
track data and produce required reports
File System Redux: Modern End-User Productivity Tools
Includes spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel
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EVOLUTION OF FILE SYSTEM DATA
PROCESSING
Computerless Data Storage
Computerless Data Retrieval
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FIGURE 1.8 - A SIMPLE FILE SYSTEM
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PROBLEMS WITH FILE SYSTEM DATA
PROCESSING
Lengthy development times
Difficulty of getting quick answers
Complex system administration
Lack of security and limited data sharing
Extensive programming
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LIMITATIONS OF FILE BASED
APPROACH
Separation and isolation of data
Each program maintains its own set of data.
Users of one program may be unaware of potentially useful
data held by other programs.
Duplication of data
Same data is held by different programs.
Wasted space and potentially different values and/or different
formats for the same item.
Data inconsistency
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DATABASE SYSTEMS
Database system consists of logically related
data stored in a single logical data repository
May be physically distributed among multiple
storage facilities
Eliminates most of file system’s problems
Current generation stores data structures,
relationships between structures, and access
paths
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DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
(DBMS)
computerized record-keeping system
store information
allow users to retrieve and update that information on
demand
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ROLE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE
DBMS
Database management system (DBMS):
A collection of programs
Manages structure and controls access to data
DBMS is the intermediary between the user and
the database
Database structure stored as file collection
Can only access files through the DBMS
DBMS enables data to be shared
DBMS integrates many users’ views of the data
DBMS
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ROLE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE
DBMS (CONT’D.)
• Better data integration and less data
inconsistency
– Data inconsistency: Different versions of the
same data appear in different places
• Increased end-user productivity
• Improved:
Data sharing
Data security
Data access
Decision making
Data quality: Promoting accuracy, validity,
and timeliness of data
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DBMS FUNCTIONS
Most functions are transparent to end users
Can only be achieved through the DBMS
Data dictionary management
DBMS stores definitions of data elements and
relationships (metadata) in a data dictionary
DBMS looks up required data component
structures and relationships
Changes automatically recorded in the dictionary
DBMS provides data abstraction and removes
structural and data dependency
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DBMS FUNCTIONS (CONT'D.)
Data storage management
DBMS creates and manages complex structures
required for data storage
Also stores related data entry forms, screen
definitions, report definitions, etc.
Performance tuning: activities that make the
database perform more efficiently
DBMS stores the database in multiple physical
data files
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DBMS FUNCTIONS (CONT'D.)
Data transformation and presentation
DBMS transforms data entered to conform to
required data structures
DBMS transforms physically retrieved data to
conform to user’s logical expectations
E.g. Dates are encoded on storage and decoded
on display
Security management
DBMS creates a security system that enforces
user security and data privacy
Security rules determine which users can access
the database, which items can be accessed, etc.
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DBMS FUNCTIONS (CONT'D.)
Multiuser access control
DBMS uses sophisticated algorithms to ensure
concurrent access does not affect integrity
Backup and recovery management
DBMS provides backup and data recovery to
ensure data safety and integrity
Recovery management deals with recovery of
database after a failure
Critical to preserving database’s integrity
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DBMS FUNCTIONS (CONT'D.)
Data integrity management
DBMS promotes and enforces integrity rules
Minimizes redundancy
Maximizes consistency
Data relationships stored in data dictionary used
to enforce data integrity
Integrity is especially important in transaction-
oriented database systems
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DBMS FUNCTIONS (CONT'D.)
Database
access languages and application
programming interfaces
DBMS provides access through a query language
Query language is a nonprocedural language
Structured Query Language (SQL) is the
database query language
Standard supported by majority of DBMS vendors
Database communication interfaces
Current DBMSs accept end-user requests via
multiple different network environments
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