Database and File Concepts Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering database structures, relationship types, normalization rules, query types, file formats, data access methods, and Management Information Systems.

Database

A program used to store data in a structured way, including the data that is stored and the links between the data items.

Flat-file database

A database that stores its data in one table, which is organized using rows and columns.

Relational database

A database that stores data in more than one linked table to ensure the same data is not stored multiple times.

Primary key

A field in a table that contains unique data and is used to identify every record in that table.

Foreign key

A primary key field from one table used in another table to point to a primary key and form a relationship.

One-to-One Relationship (1-1)

A relationship where each record in one table relates to only one record in another table.

One-To-Many Relationship (1- ∞)

A relationship where each record in one table can relate to many records in another table.

Many-to-Many Relationship

A relationship that must be broken down into several one-to-many relationships using a third "join table".

Compound Key

A primary key that consists of more than one field, combining multiple foreign keys to make a unique value.

Referential integrity

A system that forces table relationships to be consistent by ensuring foreign key data matches primary key data in associated tables.

Normalisation

A multi-step method of organizing data tables that involves breaking down flat files to avoid data redundancy and improve efficiency.

Un-normalised Form (0NF or UNF)

A database, often a flat-file, that contains duplicated data and complex, non-atomic data structures within a single field.

First Normal Form (1NF)

A state where data is in a table, unique keys exist, data is atomic, fields have unique names, records are unique, and repeating groups of columns are removed.

Second Normal Form (2NF)

A state where the table is in 1NF, related data is separated into different tables with primary keys, and all fields are dependent on the primary key.

Third Normal Form (3NF)

A state where the table is in 2NF and the database has no non-key dependencies.

Data dictionary

A file containing descriptions and information about the structure of data in a database, such as table names, field names, data types, and validation rules.

Static Parameter Query

A query where the parameter is set as a fixed value within the query structure and searches for the same data every time it is run.

Dynamic Query

A query that prompts the user with a dialogue box for input each time it is run to search for different values.

Simple Query

A query that searches using a single criterion on only one field.

Complex Query

A query that searches using more than one criterion, often using Boolean operands such as AND, OR, or NOT.

Nested Query

A query within another query, also called a subquery, where the innermost query is executed first.

Summary Query

Also called Group-By or aggregate queries, these summarize table contents using functions like SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, or COUNT.

Proprietary file formats

File formats belonging to a specific company or individual, where exact encoding and structure details are often kept secret and patented.

Open-source file formats

Formats used for storing data that are published for anyone to use and can be opened by both proprietary and open-source software.

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)

An efficient image format for storing still or moving images with large areas of solid color, commonly used in webpages.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group)

An efficient method of storing still images using a smaller file size that is commonly used on web pages but does not support moving images.

PDF (Portable Document Format)

A document converted into an image format to allow it to be read on most computers while preventing others from editing it.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics)

A format that compresses graphic files without any loss of quality, known as the most used lossless image compression format on the internet.

MPEG-4 (MP4)

A multimedia container used for storing and transferring video files, still images, audio, and subtitles.

MPEG-3 (MP3)

A compressed audio file format that is suitable for internet use but cannot store still or moving images.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheet)

A stylesheet attached to webpages to define the color scheme, fonts, and appearance.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)

A text-based language used to create markup that a web browser interprets to display information on a webpage.

RAR and Zip

Compressed file formats used to reduce the number of bytes needed to save a file to save storage space or transmission time.

Sequential Access

A method where records are read one by one in entry order until a match is found; it is slower because all preceding records must be read.

Indexed Sequential Access

A mixture of sequential and direct access where records are stored in order on disk and accessed via a set of hash tables known as indexes.

Direct Data Access

Also called random access, this is the quickest form of access where the computer uses a key to go directly to the record's location on the disk.

Hierarchical Database Management System

A system with a tree-like structure where data records are connected through one-to-many links to a primary key.

Management Information System (MIS)

A computer-based system that provides past, present, and prediction information to help managers organize and manage departments.