Database, Systems, Version Control, Data Ethics, and AI Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering database fundamentals, systems infrastructure, file management, version control, data ethics, and AI/ML principles based on the provided lecture transcript.

Database

An organized collection of information stored electronically.

Table

A section of a database that organizes information into rows and columns, similar to a spreadsheet.

Row

One complete record in a database table, such as one customer.

Column

One category of information, such as customer name, state, or age.

Record

One complete set of information about a person, item, or event; usually one row.

Field

One specific piece or category of data in a table; usually a column.

Value

The actual information stored where a row and column meet.

SQL

The language used to communicate with and give instructions to a database.

Query

A request or instruction sent to a database.

SELECT

A SQL command that tells the database what information to show.

FROM

A SQL word that identifies which table contains the information.

WHERE

A SQL word that sets a condition and filters which rows are returned.

SELECT *

A SQL instruction that asks for every column in a table.

Operating System (OS)

The main software that manages a computer’s hardware, programs, files, memory, and security.

Windows

Microsoft’s operating system commonly used on personal and business computers.

macOS

Apple’s operating system for Mac computers.

Linux

An open-source operating system commonly used for servers and cloud systems.

Open Source

Software whose source code can be viewed, changed, and shared.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A visual interface that uses windows, icons, menus, and buttons.

Command-Line Interface (CLI)

A text-based interface where users control a computer by typing commands.

Server

A real or virtual computer that provides information or services to other computers.

Client

A computer or program that requests information or services from a server.

Database Server

A computer that stores a database and responds to database requests.

Server Operating System

An operating system designed for shared services, databases, networks, and many users.

Remote Administration

Managing a server from another computer through a network.

SSH

A secure way to remotely connect to and control a server using typed commands.

Uptime

The amount of time a computer system remains available and working.

Mainframe

A large, reliable computer built to process huge numbers of business transactions.

Supercomputer

An extremely powerful computer built to perform massive scientific calculations.

Mainframe vs. Supercomputer

A mainframe handles many reliable transactions; a supercomputer performs extremely difficult calculations.

Cloud Platform

A service that provides computers, storage, and databases through the internet.

AWS

Amazon’s cloud-computing platform.

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft’s cloud-computing platform.

Google Cloud

Google’s cloud-computing platform.

Managed Database Service

A cloud database where the provider handles tasks such as maintenance, updates, and backups.

File

A digital container that stores information such as text, images, code, or data.

File System

The operating system’s method for organizing, locating, and managing files and folders.

File Storage

The device or technology used to save files.

Directory

A container used to organize files; also called a folder.

File Name

The label used to identify a file.

File Extension

The letters after the dot that help identify a file’s type, such as .txt or .jpg.

File Type

A category describing a file’s format and intended use.

File Path

The address showing where a file is located.

Absolute Path

The complete address of a file beginning at the root of the storage system.

Relative Path

A file’s address based on the program’s current location.

Current Working Directory

The folder a program is currently using as its starting point.

Root Directory

The highest or beginning location in a file system.

Text File

A file containing human-readable characters.

Binary File

A file whose contents generally require specific software to interpret.

Text File vs. Binary File

A text file is directly readable; a binary file usually needs special software.

Proprietary File Format

A file format controlled by a particular company or organization.

Data File

A file containing organized data, such as a CSV, JSON, or XML file.

CSV

A text-based data file that separates values using commas.

HDD

A storage device that saves data on spinning magnetic disks.

SSD

A fast storage device that uses flash memory and has no moving parts.

HDD vs. SSD

An HDD is cheaper but slower; an SSD is faster and has no moving parts.

NAS

A storage device connected to a network so multiple users can share files.

Cloud Storage

A service that saves files on remote servers accessed through the internet.

Backup

A separate copy of data or files that can be used for recovery.

File Permission

A rule controlling what a user can do with a file or folder.

Read Permission

Permission to open and view information.

Write Permission

Permission to create or change information.

Access Control

The process of deciding who is allowed to access or change information.

Development Environment

The place where developers build, change, and experiment with a system.

Testing Environment

The place where a system is checked before real users use it.

Staging Environment

A testing environment designed to closely resemble the real production system.

Production Environment

The live system where real users work with real information.

Development, Testing, Production

The normal order for building a system: create it, check it, and then release it.

Computing Platform

The hardware, operating system, software, and infrastructure where a database or application runs.

Infrastructure

The hardware, software, networks, storage, and services supporting a system.

Virtual Machine

A software-created computer that operates inside a physical computer.

Virtualization

The use of software to create simulated computers or systems.

Container

A small, isolated environment that packages an application with what it needs to run.

Docker

A tool used to create and run containers.

Monitoring

The process of watching a system’s performance, errors, activity, and availability.

Scalability

A system’s ability to handle more users, data, or work.

High Availability

Designing a system to remain available with very little downtime.

Redundancy

Keeping extra copies or components so one failure does not stop the system.

Failover

Switching to a backup system when the main system fails.

Disaster Recovery

A plan for restoring systems after a major failure or emergency.

Performance Tuning

Changing a system to improve its speed and efficiency.

Workload

The amount and type of work being handled by a system.

Version Control

A system that records file changes so earlier versions can be viewed or restored.

Git

A popular version-control system that tracks changes to project files.

GitHub

An online platform that stores Git repositories and supports collaboration.

Git vs. GitHub

Git tracks file changes; GitHub stores Git projects online.

Repository

A project’s files and their saved version history.

Commit

A saved snapshot of selected changes.

Commit Message

A short explanation of what changed in a commit.

Staging in Git

Selecting which changes will be included in the next commit.

Branch

A separate line of development used to safely work on changes.

Merge

The process of combining changes from one branch into another.

Rollback

Returning a file or system to an earlier version.

Version Control vs. Backup

Version control tracks changes to project files; a backup protects data and systems from loss.

Full Backup

A complete copy of all the selected data.

Incremental Backup

A backup containing only changes made since the previous backup.

Differential Backup

A backup containing all changes made since the most recent full backup.

Full vs. Incremental Backup

A full backup copies everything; an incremental backup copies only recent changes.

Restore

The process of recovering information from a backup.

Automated Backup

A backup that runs on a schedule without someone starting it manually.