Databases

Database (definition)

A structured collection of data organised and stored electronically in a computer system. Designed to efficiently manage, store, retrieve, and manipulate large volumes of data

What does CSV stand for?

Comma-Separated Values

What does JSON stand for?

JavaScript Object Notation

What does JSON do?

Pulls in CSV files in JavaScript

Name two examples of flat file databases

CSV and JSON

Why are flat file databases not optimal for data about multiple entities?

New data has to be manually inputted. Possible error when inputting new data repeatedly by hand. All records need to be individually updated as it’s not linked

Relational database (definition)

Type of database that stores data in the form of related tables

Features of Relational databases

Allows queries. Updates data in a structured and efficient way. Each table has a unique set of rows and columns. Unlimited amount of people can join

Examples of SQL/Relational databases

Microsoft Access. MySQL

Table (definition)

Collection of data that relates to an entity e.g. students

Record (definition)

A collection of data about a single entity e.g. a student

Field (definition)

A unique piece of data about an entity e.g. student surnames

Field Name (definition)

An identifier for the single piece of data e.g. ‘surnames’

Querying databases meaning

Searching for information from a database. Done using a query language e.g. SQL

What does SQL stand for?

Structured Query language

SQL (definition)

Standardised language for managing relational databases

Primary key (definition)

Field which can be used to uniquely identify each record of the table e.g. exam number

Secondary key (definition)

When there is more than one field which can be used as a unique identifier, one is the primary key and others are secondary keys. E.g. a class ID along with a student ID

Foreign key (definition)

Field in one table that links with a primary key in another table. E.g. one table has student ID, course. The other has student ID, marks.

What is Firebase?

Mobile and web application development platform

What does Firebase provide?

Tools and infrastructure to build and manage apps

What is Firebase used for?

Authentication (validation), hosting, real-time storage/synchronisation, analytics

What is a real-time database?

A database which stores data and updates immediately when new data is added across all copies automatically

Advantages of Firebase

Real-time data synchronisation. Simplified back-end development

Disadvantages of Firebase

Limited querying capabilities. Price based on usage (can be expensive)

Examples of NoSQL Databases

Firebase, Apache Cassandra

Difference between Relational Database and NoSQL

NoSQL uses document-based data storage instead of tabular storage

Where is JSON commonly used?

Web and mobile applications (APIs)

What is the format of JSON?

Key-Value Pair Format

What datatypes does JSON support?

Strings. Numbers. Booleans. Arrays. Objects

What databases does JSON tend to be used in?

NoSQL Databases e.g. Firebase

What is firebase used for?

Backend services for mobile and web apps. Realtime database storage and synchronisation. User authentication. Analytics. Hosting

Advantages of firebase (3)

Real-time data synchronisation. Scalable infrastructure. Simplified backend development.

Disadvantages of firebase

Limited querying capabilities. Vendor lock-in to Google's ecosystem. Pricing based on usage, may become expensive for large-scale applications.

Is firebase a relational database?

No

Difference between Microsoft Access and Firebase (Microsoft Access) (4)

Desk-top based. Manual syncing. Relational database supporting SQL Queries. Stores and manipulates data.

Difference between Microsoft Access and Firebase (Firebase) (4)

Cloud-based. Real-time data syncing. NoSQL database with limited querying. Built-in authentication hosting and analytics.

Use of API Example

Sending and receiving data between servers and applications

Is float the same as real?

Yes