DOMAIN 5: Database Fundamentals

Database

An organized collection of structured data

DBMS

Database Management System; software used to create and manage databases

Table

Where data is stored in a database, organized into rows and columns

Record (row)

A single complete entry in a table, e.g. one customer

Field (column)

A single category of data in a table, e.g. "Last Name"

Primary key

A unique identifier for each record in a table; no duplicates allowed

Foreign key

A field that links to the primary key of another table

Structured data

Data organized in a predictable row/column format

Unstructured data

Data with no predefined format, e.g. videos, emails, images

Relational database

A database that uses tables linked together by keys

SQL

Structured Query Language; used to manage and query relational databases

Query

A request for specific data from a database

Data integrity

The accuracy and consistency of data over its lifecycle

Schema

The structure or blueprint defining a database's tables and fields

Index

A structure that speeds up data retrieval in a database

Flat file database

A single-table database with no relationships, like a spreadsheet

Data redundancy

Unnecessary duplication of data within a database

Normalization

Organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity