Review of Database Concepts

Databases are completely ubiquitous .

 Introduction

 A database is a collection of related data.

 A Database Management System (DBMS) is the
software that manages and controls access to the
database.
 A Database Application is a program that interacts
with the database.
 A Database System is a collection of programs that
interact with the database.
How were records maintained in
the pre-computer period?
 Traditional File-Based Systems

 File-based system
 A collection of application programs that perform services for
the end-users such as production of reports. Each program
defines and manages its own data.
 Early attempt to computerized the manual filing
system
Student System (file-based)

REGISTRAR
FILE Student
ENROLLMENT
Subjects
EAF Faculty

ACCOUNTING
FILE Student
PAYMENT OF
FEES Fees
OR

Student
DEPARTMENT
FILE Subjects
PROCESSING
OF GRADES Faculty
CC Grades
Traditional File-Based Systems

File
Data entry handling
and routines Sales
reports and file Database
definitions

File
Data entry handling Contracts
and routines
reports and file Database
definitions
 Traditional File-Based Systems

 Sales Files
 PropertyForRent(propertyNo, street, city, postcode, type,
rooms, rent, ownerNo)
 PrivateOwner(ownerNo, fName, lName, address, telNo)

 Client(clientNo, fName, lName, address, telNo, prefType,

maxRent)
 Contracts Files
 Lease(leaseNo, propertyNo, clientNo, rent, paymentMethod,
deposit, paid, rentStart, rentFinish, duration)
 PropertyForRent(propertyNo, street, city, postcode, rent)

 Client(clientNo, fName, lName, address, telNo)

 Limitations of the File-Based Systems

 Separation and isolation of data

 Duplication of data
 Duplication is wasteful

 It takes up additional storage space

 Loss of data integrity

 Data dependence
 Program-data dependence

 Incompatible file formats

 Fixed queries/proliferation of application programs
 Factors contributing to FBS’ Limitations

 The definition of the data is embedded in application

programs, rather than being separately and
independently
 There is no control over the access and manipulation
of data beyond that imposed by the application
programs

 To become more effective, a new approach was required. What

emerged were the database and Database Management
System.
 The Database

 A database is a shared collection of logically related

data and a description of data, designed to meet the
information needs of an organization.
 Characteristics:
 A database is used simultaneously by many departments.
 All data are integrated with a minimum amount of duplication.
 It is considered as a shared corporate resource.
 A database is a self-describing collection of integrated records.
 Data is separated from application programs.
 A database is logically-related.
 Logical Relations in a Database

 When analyzing the information needs of an

organization, identify the:
 Entity – a distinct object (person, place, thing, concept)
 Attribute – property that describes the object
 Relationship – Association between entities

 The database represents the entities, attributes and

logical relationships between the entities.
 Sample Entity Relationship Diagram

Branch Staff
branchNo 1..* staffNo
1..1 0..1

0..100
1..* PropertyForRent Client
propertyNo 0..* 0..* clientNo
1..* 1..1

0..1
PrivateOwner 0..* Lease 0..*

ownerNo leaseNo
 The Database Management System

 A DBMS is a software system that enables users to

define, create, maintain and control access to the
database.
 A DBMS provides the ff. facilities:
 Data Definition Language (DDL)
 Data Manipulation Language (DML) aka query language
 Views
 Provides security
 Provides mechanism to customize the appearance of database
 Presents a consistent, unchanging picture of the structure of the
database
Database Processing

Data entry
and reports

DBMS
Database

Data entry
and reports
 Components of a DBMS Environment

Hardware Software DATA Procedures People

 Components of the DBMS Environment

 Hardware
 May range from a single PC, mainframe to a network of
computers.
 Software
 Comprises of the DBMS software itself, application programs
and operating system.
 Data
 This serves as a bridge between machine and human
components. It contains operational data and meta-data. The
structure of a database is called schema.
 Components of the DBMS Environment

 Procedures
 The instructions and rules that govern the design and use of
the database. These may consist of instructions on how to:
 Log on to DBMS
 Use a particular DBMS or application program
 Start DBMS
 Backup copies of the database

 People
 Sino sila????
 Roles in the Database Environment

 Data Administrator (DA)

 Responsible for the management of the data resource
including database planning, development and maintenance of
standards, policies and procedures and conceptual/logical
database design.
 Database Administrator (DBA)
 Responsible for the physical realization of the database,
including physical database design and implementation,
security and integrity control, maintenance of the operational
system and ensuring satisfactory performance of the
application for users.
 Roles in the Database Environment

 Database Designers
 Logical Database Designer
 Concerned with identifying data(entities and attributes)
 Physical Database Designer
 Decides how the logical database design is to be physically
realized.
 Application Developers
 Creates application programs that provide the required
functionality for the end-users
 End-Users
 Naïve users
 Sophisticated users
 Advantages of DBMS

 Control of data redundancy

 Data consistency
 More information from the same amount of data
 Sharing of data
 Improved data integrity
 Improved security
 Enforcement of standards
 Economy of scale
 Balance conflicting requirements
 Advantages of DBMS

 Improved data accessibility and responsiveness

 Increased productivity
 Improved maintenance through data independence
 Increased concurrency
 Improved backup and recovery services
 Disadvantages of DBMS

 Complexity
 Size
 Cost of DBMS
 Additional hardware costs
 Cost of conversion
 Performance
 Higher impact of failure