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AIN 2601 > 2. The Database Environment > Flashcards

2. The Database Environment Flashcards

1
Q

What are the components of a database environment?

A
  1. Users
  2. Database management systems
  3. Physical database
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2
Q

What are the advantages of a database?

A
  1. Reduces data redundancy
  2. Reduce costs of capturing data. Only entered once
  3. Data integrity is maintained and improved. Updates made in one place
  4. Improved data security, centrally controlled
  5. Application software independence. Data is stored separately from application software so updates won’t require rewriting.
  6. Standardization of data structures.
  7. Improved data access. Data made available to different users at the same time.
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3
Q

What are some disadvantages of databases

A
  1. Start up costs are large
  2. Database systems are complex to use
  3. Time-consuming to design
  4. A database failure will shut down the organization
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4
Q

Who are the different users of a database?

A
  1. End-users
  2. Application programmers
  3. Database administrator
  4. Data administrator
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5
Q

Who are the end users?

A

They capture data and extract information

Low skill level and use application software

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6
Q

What are the applications programmers for?

A

They are responsible for creating, maintaining, updating and managing application and DBMS software

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7
Q

What are the database administrators for?

A
  1. Responsible for controlling and managing database.
  2. Their roles include;
    - implement and maintain standards
    - Ensure application software complies with database management standards
    - Define database structures
    - Design and create databases in line with standards
    - Implement, maintain and Evaluate access policies
    - Monitor data and database access and security
    - Monitor and maintain database performances
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8
Q

What is another name for a data administrator?

A

Database analyst

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9
Q

What are the data administrators responsible for?

A
  • Managing and controlling data

- Manage integrity and setting and enforcing data standards

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10
Q

Are the database admin and data admin usually the same person?

A

Yes

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11
Q

What is a DBMS?

A

An integrated set of software that provides user friendly interface to users.

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12
Q

What is an example of DBMS?

A

Microsoft access

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13
Q

What are the functions of the DBMS?

A
  1. Design create and maintain database structures
  2. Control and organize data retrieval and and storage
  3. Capture, maintain and manipulate data
  4. Share data between multiple users
  5. Executes queries and generate outputs
  6. Control movement of data between users
  7. Control,and manage access
  8. Analyze and monitor database performance
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14
Q

Who suggests the three-level database architecture?

A

ANSI-SPARC

American national standards institute - standards planning and requirements committee

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15
Q

What are the three-levels of database architecture?

A
  1. External level
  2. Conceptual level
  3. Internal level
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16
Q

Is the three-level view of database architecture used commonly?

A

Yes

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17
Q

What is the external level also called?

A

The user view

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18
Q

He many different user views could there be?

A

An infinite amount

E.g. A creditor clerk’s user view screen will look different from a cash book input screen.

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19
Q

What is the conceptual level?

A

A complete view of the entire database and all it’s data.

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20
Q

Who will generally use the conceptual level view?

A

The database administrator

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21
Q

He many conceptual views of the database are there?

A

Only one

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22
Q

What is another name for an internal view?

A

Physical view

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23
Q

What is the physical view?

A

It is a low level view of how the data is physically stored, such as storage device like a magnetic hard drive.

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24
Q

He many physical views are there?

A

Only one

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25
Q

How is the binary code related to the physical view?

A

Is it only now facet of the physical view.

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26
Q

What does the database administrator do for all levels?

A

They update and maintain all three levels of the database architecture.

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27
Q

What are the key components of the DBMS?

A
  1. Data dictionary

2. Data languages

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28
Q

What is a data field?

A

A single data value and the smallest unit of data that can be accessed

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29
Q

What is a data dictionary?

A

Contains records for all data fields and can give a detailed description of all data fields

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30
Q

What does a data field description include?

A
  1. Name and description of data
  2. Other names the data field might have
  3. Data type
  4. Field length
  5. Software
  6. Source of data field
  7. Outputs in which it’s used
  8. The authorized user groups for that data field
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31
Q

What is a database language?

A

The different language that different users use to interact with the database

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32
Q

What are the different data languages Inlcuded?

A
  1. Data definition language
  2. Data control language
  3. Data manipulation language
  4. Data query language
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33
Q

What is the most common language used?

A

SQL (structured query language)

It combines the languages mentioned

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34
Q

What is DDL used for?

A
  1. Define a database and includes commands to;
    - Create, modify and delete databases and database objects
    - Define and describe database structures
    - Create data dictionary
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35
Q

What do database objects include?

A
  1. Database tables
  2. Views
  3. Rules
  4. Indexes
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36
Q

Use usually uses the DDL?

A

The database administrator

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37
Q

What is the DCL used for?

A

To control the security and access to the database

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38
Q

Who uses the DCL?

A

Usually only the database administrator

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39
Q

What is DML use for?

A

Routine operations on the database, including insert, delete, modify and maintain the date stored on database.

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40
Q

Who can use the DML?

A

All users use it, usually accessed through application software

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41
Q

What is the difference between DDL and DML?

A

DML is to manipulate the data stored in the database where DDL is used to manipulate the database objects and structures.

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42
Q

What is DQL used for?

A

Usually to retrieve data from the database

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43
Q

Who can use DQL?

A

All users can use it. Usually through application software

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44
Q

What are database models?

A

The theoretical data structures

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45
Q

What are the main types of data models?

A
  1. Hierarchical
  2. Network
  3. Relational
  4. Object-orientated
  5. Multidimensional
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46
Q

When was hierarchical models used?

A

In earlier databases

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47
Q

What relationship did the hierarchical database have?

A

One-to-many relationship

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48
Q

Is the hierarchical structure flexible?

A

No

Inflexible

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49
Q

What is an example of a hierarchical database model?

A

Microsoft windows explorer

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50
Q

What is a network model?

A

A many-to-many relationship. Data may be accessed through many paths.

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51
Q

Is the use of a network model common?

A

No

Mostly obsolete

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52
Q

What does a relational model look like?

A

Data is stored on rows and columns, like a table.

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53
Q

What is the disadvantage of relational model?

A

It is slower than hierarchical and network because it uses more processing power to query data

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54
Q

What are the benefits of the relational model?

A
  1. Data can be accessed, inserted, deleted without changing the structure of the model
  2. Database can be adult customized
  3. Data does not need to be duplicated
  4. Most users can easily understand the structure
  5. It’s easy to search for and extract data
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55
Q

What is the most common structure?

A

Relational model, because of its many advantages.

Common in business and financial databases.

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56
Q

What is an object-orientated model?

A

Where data and the operations to be performed are stored in the database.

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57
Q

What is the benefit of object-orientated model?

A

Can further process more types of data beside text and numerical types. Such as video, audio and images.

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58
Q

Who would use object-orientated models?

A

More specialized databases such as web-based applications, molecular biology databases and defense industries

59
Q

What is a disadvantage of object-orientated model?

A

It is used less because it is expensive and many organizations don’t need to process more data types besides text and numericals.

60
Q

What is a multidimensional model?

A

Similar to a relational model, but with Merle dimensions, kind of creating a cube.

61
Q

His data views from a multidimensional model?

A

Usually in a spreadsheet form.

62
Q

What is an advantage of a multidimensional model?

A

It is easy to maintain.

63
Q

What is the multidimensional model usually used for?

A

Usually storage warehouse

64
Q

What does multidimensional models make possible?

A
  1. Online analytical processing (OLAP)

2. Business intelligence software (BIS)

65
Q

How do we classify according to the physical location of the database?

A

Between;

  1. Centralized
  2. Distributed
66
Q

What is a centralize database?

A

Where the database is stored in one location

E.g. One server

67
Q

Hw do users interact with a centralized database?

A

Through networks

68
Q

What is an advantage of centralized databases?

A

The information and data on them is up to date all the time provided online input and real-time processing is used

69
Q

What is a distributed database?

A

Where there are several databases stored in different locations

70
Q

What two different distributed databases a there?

A

Either;

  1. Partitioned
  2. Replicated databases
71
Q

What is a partitioned database?

A

Where database is split into smaller parts and where a part is applicable to a user it will be made available to them.

72
Q

When is partitioned database generally used?

A

Where data sharing isn’t necessary

E.g. Branches where customers don’t visit other branches

73
Q

What is a replicated database system?

A

Where the original database is replicated at each location

74
Q

What is an example of replicated databases?

A

Pharmacies where customers can use different branches to renew prescriptions etc.

75
Q

How are the different databases updated in a replicated database system?

A

Either;

  1. Duplication
  2. Synchronization
76
Q

What happens with duplication updating?

A

The master database is duplicated at regular frequencies.

77
Q

What happens with synchronization of databases?

A

Much more complex, involves two way updating of master and distributed databases.

78
Q

What is a data value?

A

A single character such as letters or numbers to populate a data field

79
Q

What is a data field

A

Contain a single data value. Similar to a cell in a spreadsheet

80
Q

What different data field can exist?

A

Compulsory,optional or calculated

81
Q

What is an attribute?

A

Also seen as a column

Represent one unique characteristic of a collection of data fields

82
Q

A field name?

A

Then name given to the attribute.

No attribute can have the same field name

83
Q

Can different attributes have the same name?

A

No

84
Q

What is a data record?

A

A set of related data field about a single member of an item

85
Q

What is another name of a data record?

A

Tuple

Similar to rows in spreadsheets

86
Q

What is a primary data field?

A

A unique data field that will identify the data records in a database

87
Q

What else is a primary data field called?

A

Primary key

88
Q

What is a foreign key?

A

Where a primary data field is entered into another database to create relationship between the two.

89
Q

What is the purpose of foreign keys?

A

They prevent data from being duplicated.

90
Q

What is another name for a database file?

A

A database table

91
Q

What is a database file?

A

An organized collection of related data records

92
Q

What are the different types of database files?

A
  1. Master
  2. Transaction
  3. Reference
  4. History files
93
Q

What nature of records do master files contain?

A

Records of a relatively permanent nature. They do not change often.

94
Q

What information do they master files contain?

A

Info about the organizations resources and subjects. E.g. Customers, suppliers, employees and inventory.

95
Q

What do transaction files contain?

A

Data records of daily activities

96
Q

He often are transaction files changed?

A

Regularly as new data is processed often

97
Q

What is a replicated database system?

A

Where the original database is replicated at each location

98
Q

What is an example of replicated databases?

A

Pharmacies where customers can use different branches to renew prescriptions etc.

99
Q

How are the different databases updated in a replicated database system?

A

Either;

  1. Duplication
  2. Synchronization
100
Q

What happens with duplication updating?

A

The master database is duplicated at regular frequencies.

101
Q

What happens with synchronization of databases?

A

Much more complex, involves two way updating of master and distributed databases.

102
Q

What is a data value?

A

A single character such as letters or numbers to populate a data field

103
Q

What is a data field

A

Contain a single data value. Similar to a cell in a spreadsheet

104
Q

What different data field can exist?

A

Compulsory,optional or calculated

105
Q

What is an attribute?

A

Also seen as a column

Represent one unique characteristic of a collection of data fields

106
Q

A field name?

A

Then name given to the attribute.

No attribute can have the same field name

107
Q

Can different attributes have the same name?

A

No

108
Q

What is a data record?

A

A set of related data field about a single member of an item

109
Q

What is another name of a data record?

A

Tuple

Similar to rows in spreadsheets

110
Q

What is a primary data field?

A

A unique data field that will identify the data records in a database

111
Q

What else is a primary data field called?

A

Primary key

112
Q

What is a foreign key?

A

Where a primary data field is entered into another database to create relationship between the two.

113
Q

What is the purpose of foreign keys?

A

They prevent data from being duplicated.

114
Q

What is another name for a database file?

A

A database table

115
Q

What is a database file?

A

An organized collection of related data records

116
Q

What are the different types of database files?

A
  1. Master
  2. Transaction
  3. Reference
  4. History files
117
Q

What nature of records do master files contain?

A

Records of a relatively permanent nature. They do not change often.

118
Q

What information do they master files contain?

A

Info about the organizations resources and subjects. E.g. Customers, suppliers, employees and inventory.

119
Q

What do transaction files contain?

A

Data records of daily activities

120
Q

He often are transaction files changed?

A

Regularly as new data is processed often

121
Q

What is a replicated database system?

A

Where the original database is replicated at each location

122
Q

What is an example of replicated databases?

A

Pharmacies where customers can use different branches to renew prescriptions etc.

123
Q

How are the different databases updated in a replicated database system?

A

Either;

  1. Duplication
  2. Synchronization
124
Q

What happens with duplication updating?

A

The master database is duplicated at regular frequencies.

125
Q

What happens with synchronization of databases?

A

Much more complex, involves two way updating of master and distributed databases.

126
Q

What is a data value?

A

A single character such as letters or numbers to populate a data field

127
Q

What is a data field

A

Contain a single data value. Similar to a cell in a spreadsheet

128
Q

What different data field can exist?

A

Compulsory,optional or calculated

129
Q

What is an attribute?

A

Also seen as a column

Represent one unique characteristic of a collection of data fields

130
Q

A field name?

A

Then name given to the attribute.

No attribute can have the same field name

131
Q

Can different attributes have the same name?

A

No

132
Q

What is a data record?

A

A set of related data field about a single member of an item

133
Q

What is another name of a data record?

A

Tuple

Similar to rows in spreadsheets

134
Q

What is a primary data field?

A

A unique data field that will identify the data records in a database

135
Q

What else is a primary data field called?

A

Primary key

136
Q

What is a foreign key?

A

Where a primary data field is entered into another database to create relationship between the two.

137
Q

What is the purpose of foreign keys?

A

They prevent data from being duplicated.

138
Q

What is another name for a database file?

A

A database table

139
Q

What is a database file?

A

An organized collection of related data records

140
Q

What are the different types of database files?

A
  1. Master
  2. Transaction
  3. Reference
  4. History files
141
Q

What nature of records do master files contain?

A

Records of a relatively permanent nature. They do not change often.

142
Q

What information do they master files contain?

A

Info about the organizations resources and subjects. E.g. Customers, suppliers, employees and inventory.

143
Q

What do transaction files contain?

A

Data records of daily activities

144
Q

He often are transaction files changed?

A

Regularly as new data is processed often

AIN 2601 (3 decks)

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