Database Principles - Chapter 1: The Database Approach

Vocabulary flashcards covering core definitions, database classifications, file system characteristics, DBMS functions, and career roles from Chapter 1.

Data

Raw facts, unprocessed information, and the building blocks of information.

Information

Data that has been processed to reveal meaning.

Data Governance

A strategy or methodology defined by an organisation to safeguard data quality by managing availability, usability, quality, integrity, and security of data.

Database

A shared, integrated computer structure that stores end user data (raw facts) and metadata (data about data).

Metadata

Data about data.

DBMS (Database Management System)

A collection of programs that manages database structure and controls access to data.

Single-user Database

A database that supports only one user at a time.

Desktop Database

A single-user database running on a personal computer.

Multi-user Database

A database that supports multiple users at the same time.

Workgroup Database

A multi-user database that supports a small group of users or a single department.

Enterprise Database

A multi-user database that supports a large group of users or an entire organisation.

LAMP

An acronym defining the most popular open source software: Linux, Apache Web server, MySQL DBMS, and the Perl/PHP/Python development languages.

Centralised Database

A database that supports data located at a single site.

Distributed Database

A database that supports data distributed across several sites.

Transactional (or Production) Database

A database designed to support a company's day-to-day operations.

Data Warehouse

A database that stores data used to generate information required to make tactical or strategic decisions, often storing historical data.

Field

A character or group of characters (alphabetic or numeric) that has a specific meaning, used to define and store data.

Record

A logically connected set of one or more fields that describes a person, place or thing.

File

A collection of related records.

Structural Dependence

A condition in which access to a file depends on its structure.

Structural Independence

A condition existing when it is possible to make changes in the file structure without affecting the application program's ability to access the data.

Data Dependence

A condition where changes occur in data storage characteristics without affecting the application program's ability to access the data.

Logical Data Format

How the human being views the data.

Physical Data Format

How the computer 'sees' or stores the data.

Data Redundancy

A condition where different and conflicting versions of the same data appear in different places.

Update Anomalies

Data anomalies that occur when changes must be made to existing records.

Insertion Anomalies

Data anomalies that occur when entering new records.

Deletion Anomalies

Data anomalies that occur when deleting records.

Data Dictionary Management

A DBMS function that defines data elements and their relationships.

Data Storage Management

A DBMS function that stores data and related data entry forms, report definitions, and related structures.

Multiuser Access Control

A DBMS function that uses sophisticated algorithms to ensure multiple users can access the database concurrently without compromising data integrity.

Database Administrator

A professional role responsible for managing and maintaining the DBMS and databases.

Database Architect

A professional role responsible for designing and implementing database environments at conceptual, logical, and physical levels.

Data Scientist

A professional role responsible for analyzing large amounts of varied data to generate insights, relationships, and predictable behaviors.