Introduction to Databases

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts discussed in the lecture on databases and will help in understanding the fundamental aspects of database systems.

Database

A collection of related data.

DBMS (Database Management System)

A software package/system to facilitate the creation and maintenance of a computerized database.

Data

Known facts that can be recorded and have implicit meaning.

Mini-world

Some part of the real world about which data is stored in a database.

Relational Model

A data model that uses relationships between data entities to structure data accordingly.

OLTP (Online Transaction Processing)

A class of systems that manages transaction-oriented applications.

Multi-user transaction processing

Allowing a set of concurrent users to retrieve from and update the database.

Meta-data

Data about data; description of the data structures and constraints in a database.

Data Abstraction

A technique to hide the storage details and present a conceptual view of the database.

Concurrency control

Techniques to ensure that multiple transactions can occur concurrently without leading to inconsistencies.

Big Data

Data sets that are so large or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate.

NoSQL

Database systems that are non-relational, and more flexible than traditional SQL databases.

Actors on the Scene

Users who directly interact with and control the database content.

Workers behind the Scene

Users who design, develop and maintain database applications and systems.

Advantages of Database Approach

Includes controlling redundancy, sharing of data, providing persistent storage, and enforcing data integrity.

Types of Database Applications

Include banking, airline, and university enrollment systems.

Data Warehouse

A system used for reporting and data analysis, often containing historical data.

Mobile Databases

Databases that are designed to be accessed on mobile devices.

Graph Databases

Databases designed to treat data as interconnected graphs.