COMPUTER DATA BASE DEFINITION EXAMPLES AND TERMINOLOGIES

WEEK 8.                                                       

TOPIC: DATABASE

CONTENT:

(a) Definition (i)Database (ii)Database package (DBMS)

(b) Example of DBMS: Dbase III, Dbase IV, Fox base, Rbase, etc.

(c) Basic terminologies: (i) File (ii) Record (iii) Field (iv) Key

(d) Forms of database organization (i) network (ii) hierarchical (iii) relational.

Sub-topic 1: Definition

A database is a collection of information. It is defined as a single organized collection of data stored with a minimal duplication of data items so as to provide a consistent and control pool of data common to all users.

Database Management System (DBMS): it is complex software that can be used to create, store, update, manage, and maintain database. It consists of a collection of interrelated data and a set of program to access these data. Its primary goal is to provide a convenient and effective environment in retrieving and storing database information. Examples of DBMS includes: Microsoft Access, Oracle, Foxbase. dBase III+, dBaseIV, Rbase, MySQL and so on.

Basic terminologies

A field is a column (a space used to store data in a table) of data in a table. Each column or field in a table contains similar types of data (e.g. data on the ages of students) for all members/entities whose data is stored in the table.

Records refer to a row of data in a table. Each row or record in a table contains similar types of data (e.g. data on the ages of students) for all members/entities whose data is stored in the table. It is the collection of related fields in a database.

File is a collection or a group of related records. E.g. students’ file, employers’ file etc.

Primary Key is the identifier for a record in a table.  It is a unique identifying value for each record. It helps to identify and distinguish one record from all others in the table. For example, in a database of students’ information, it could be the student number or name.

Sub-topic 2: Forms of database organization

There are three main forms of database organization: network, hierarchical, and relational.

Network databases are typically organized into a tree-like structure, with information grouped by topic or discipline. Records in a network database are linked to related records, allowing for efficient organization and retrieval of information.

Hierarchical databases are also organized according to a tree-like structure, but they tend to be more rigidly structured. Records are typically organized based on a specific hierarchy or parent-child relationship, making it easier to identify and locate related data.

Relational databases store information in tables consisting of rows and columns. While the data may be logically linked across tables, relationships between records are not explicit in the database structure itself. This allows for flexible and efficient organization and retrieval of information. Examples of popular relational databases include MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server.

1. As a type of database management system, DBMS can be broadly categorized into three main forms: network, relational, and hierarchical.
2. Network databases are built around the idea of connecting individual pieces of data together to form one cohesive whole. They tend to rely heavily on self-referencing relationships between entities and are often used for managing complex data sets, such as those found in scientific research.
3. Relational databases are structured around the concept of tables and columns, with each row representing a record or entity and each column representing an attribute or property of that entity.

General Evaluation

1. Describe network database.
2. Mention four types of DBMS.
3. Define the following (a) field (b) relational database.
4. Define primary key?

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

Objectives

1. Which of the following is not a type of DBMS? (a) Microsoft Access (b) Word Star (c) Oracle (d) MySQL
2. What is used to construct, expand and maintain the database? (a) DB (b)DBMS (c) Microsoft Access (d) DBMMS
3. The form of database that allows multiple interrelationships among records is ___ (a) Hierarchical DB (b) Network DB (c) Relational DB (d) Object-oriented DB.
4. ___are composed of rows and columns. (a) Tables (b) Records (c) Files (d) Reports.
5. A row of data in a database is referred to as ____ (a) Record (b) Report (c) Query (d) field.
6. ___is used to identify a record or group of records. (a) Key (b) Record (c) Object-oriented DB.
7. A field of data in a database is referred to as ____ (a) Record (b) Query (c) Field (d) Report.
8. Which of the following best describes DBMS? (a) A user-friendly tool for building databases, which can be used to create, modify and maintain databases. (b) A tool that allows users to develop data models and other database objects. (c) An engine that stores, retrieves and manipulates information from a relational database management system. (d) All of the above.

1. List and briefly explain the forms of DBMS.
2. With a table, differentiate between Network, Relational and Hierarchical database.