Database Purpose Lecture – Practice Flashcards

A set of Q&A flashcards covering database fundamentals, data management concepts, and related terminology from the lecture notes.

What is a database?

A structured and organized electronic collection of related data.

Which programming language is commonly used to display, sort, filter, and summarize data in a relational database?

Structured Query Language (SQL).

What is the primary responsibility of a database administrator when working with SQL?

Querying the database to retrieve, manipulate, and manage data efficiently.

Give an example of a company that leverages sales data to make informed product decisions.

Amazon.com.

What discipline focuses on the creation, storage, and retrieval of data to ensure accuracy and usability?

Data management.

Name the software layer that allows different applications to communicate with a database or with each other.

Application Programming Interface (API).

What does a Graphical User Interface (GUI) provide when managing databases?

A visual way for users to interact with the database through icons and graphical elements.

Which PostgreSQL tool offers a GUI for database management tasks?

pgAdmin.

Why do databases enforce constraints and rules?

To maintain data integrity by preventing inconsistent, duplicate, or invalid data.

How do databases enable teamwork and reduce data redundancy?

By offering concurrent access so multiple users can collaborate and update data simultaneously.

List two key security mechanisms databases provide to protect sensitive information.

Encryption and access control (auditing can also be included).

What feature of database systems helps protect against data loss in case of system failure?

Backup and recovery mechanisms.

How can a database act as a centralized repository in large organizations?

By consolidating multiple data sources, ensuring all relevant data is accessible from a single platform, and enforcing consistency.

Define data in the context of databases.

Raw, unprocessed facts and figures stored in a structured format.

What is metadata?

Data about data, describing characteristics such as table names, field names, and relationships.

How is information different from data?

Information is data that has been processed and placed in context to give it meaning.

What is knowledge in relation to information?

The understanding and insights derived from interpreting and analyzing information to make strategic decisions.

Which SQL commands are commonly used to turn data into meaningful information?

SELECT and ORDER BY (among others).

What role do Decision Support Systems (DSS) play in business databases?

They analyze large datasets to gain insights and guide product or service decisions.

Why are backups crucial for database systems?

They ensure that data can be restored after accidental loss or hardware failure.

Name two areas where you interact with databases in everyday life.

Possible answers include banking, grocery stores, online shopping (Amazon), social media (Instagram/TikTok), or schools.

What benefit does SQL querying provide when working with large datasets?

Quick, efficient retrieval and manipulation of specific data without scanning the entire database.