CHAPTER 1 TO CHAPTER 3 NOTES FROM TEXTBOOK
UNISA ICT3621 CHAPTER 1 TO CHAPTER 3
Database Design (University of South Africa)
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CHAPTER 1
Data consists of raw facts
Information is the result of processing raw data to reveal its meaning.
• Data constitutes the building blocks of information.
• Information is produced by processing data.
• Information is used to reveal the meaning of data.
• Accurate, relevant, and timely information is the key to good decision making.
• Good decision making is the key to organizational survival in a global environment.
Knowledge is the body of information and facts about a specific subject.
Knowledge implies familiarity, awareness, and understanding of information as it applies to an environment.
A key characteristic is that new knowledge can be derived from old knowledge.
Data management is a discipline that focuses on the proper generation, storage, and retrieval of data.
A database is a shared, integrated computer structure that stores a collection of the following:
End-user data—that is, raw facts of interest to the end user
Metadata, or data about data, through which the end-user data is integrated and managed
A database management system (DBMS) is a collection of programs that manages the database structure and
controls access to the data stored in the database. In a sense, a database resembles a very well-organized
electronic filing cabinet in which powerful software (the DBMS) helps manage the cabinet’s contents.
A DBMS provides these advantages:
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• Improved data sharing.
• Improved data security.
• Better data integration.
• Minimized data inconsistency.
• Improved data access.
• Improved decision making.
• Increased end-user productivity.
Data inconsistency exists when different versions of the same data appear in different places.
A query is a specific request issued to the DBMS for data manipulation an ad hoc query is a spur-of-the-
moment question.
Query result set The collection of data rows returned by a query.
Data quality is a comprehensive approach to promoting the accuracy, validity, and timeliness of the data.
Types of Databases
single-user database supports only one user at a time.
desktop database single-user database that runs on a personal computer
multiuser database supports multiple users at the same time
workgroup database When the multiuser database supports a relatively small number of users
(usually fewer than 50) or a specific department within an organization
enterprise database When the database is used by the entire organization and supports many
users (more than 50, usually hundreds) across many departments
centralized database a database that supports data located at a single site
distributed database A database that supports data distributed across several different sites
cloud database a database that is created and maintained using cloud data services
general-purpose database that contains a wide variety of data used in multiple
database disciplines.
Discipline-specific databases contain data focused on specific subject areas.
operational database / online A database that is designed primarily to support a company’s day-to-day
transaction operations
processing (OLTP) database /
transactional database, /
production database
analytical database focuses primarily on storing historical data and business metrics used
exclusively for tactical or strategic decision making. Analytical databases
comprise two main components: a data warehouse and an online analytical
processing front end
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