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GCSE - Computing > 5. Databases > Flashcards

5. Databases Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a database?

A

A persistent organised store of data.

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2
Q

Why is a database described as “persistent”?

A
  • A database is a non-volatile store of data on a secondary storage medium such as a hard disk.
  • This makes it different to an array.
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3
Q

What is data handling software used for?

A

Creating, maintaining and interrogating a database.

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4
Q

How can data handling software be created?

A

• Using an off-the-shelf product such as Microsoft Access
OR
• Creating the database itself in one of these products and then using a high level programming language to create a customised, form based, front-end application that does exactly what is needed

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5
Q

Why must a database by maintained?

A

Because the quality of information you get out is only as good as the information you put in (GIGO).

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6
Q

What is GIGO?

A

Garbage In, Garbage Out - The idea that the quality of information from a database is only as good as the quality you put in.

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7
Q

Revise the operations on a database.

A

Pg 66 of textbook -> Diagram

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8
Q

What is data duplication/redundancy?

A

Where the same data is stored more than once, unnecessarily.

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9
Q

What is data inconsistency?

A

Where different versions of the same data have different values because different versions have been stored and updated differently.

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10
Q

What is the important statement about keeping data in two different places?

A

Data duplication leads to data inconsistency.

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11
Q

What is the DBMS?

A

Database Management System - The system that separates the applications from the data and provides features that allow database systems to be created, interrogated and maintained.

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12
Q

What is the problem with different departments of a shop using the same database without a DBMS?

A
  • Although the data is consistent, it introduces security issues and the applications are too closely linked to the data.
  • This means that if one department changed something, it would affect the programs the other departments were using.
  • Separation is needed.
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13
Q

What is used to separate programs from data?

A

A DBMS.

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14
Q

What is program-data independence?

A

Where the applications that use a shared database are separated from the actual data by a DBMS. Changes can be made to one application without it affecting another.

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15
Q

What are views of a database?

A

A feature of a DBMS that provides each application (e.g. the training department) or user with specific access, editing rights and view of the database.

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16
Q

What are some key features of a DBMS?

A
  • Separation between applications and database
  • Allows multiple applications to use a single database
  • Manages multiple applications trying to edit the same record at the same time (usually makes it read only for the second application)
  • Provides appropriate views of the database to different users
  • Provides security in terms of views and access rights
  • Enables creation of the relational database structure
  • Allows applications to query/interrogate the database
  • Creates reports based on queries
  • Allows certain applications to edit and maintain database
  • Automatic back-up
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17
Q

Give an example of a DBMS.

A

Microsoft Access

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18
Q

What is a flat file database?

A

A persistent organised store of data where data is stored in a single file organised into fields and records. (e.g. A spreadsheet)

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19
Q

What is a relational database?

A

A persistent organised store of data where data is stored as a collection of related tables to minimise data redundancy.

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20
Q

What is the problem with a flat file database?

A

It is easy to get data inconsistency.

21
Q

What are the benefits of reducing data duplication?

A
  • Reduces the risk of data inconsistency
  • Makes maintaining the database much easier
  • Reduces the size of the database
22
Q

What is an entity?

A

A category of, for example, person, object or event about which data is stored in a database, and which corresponds to a table in the relational database. (e.g. Cars in a garage database)

23
Q

What do we use to create links between tables in a database?

A

A DBMS.

24
Q

What is a table?

A

A collection of data organised into records and fields within a relational database. A table represents a real world entity.

25
Q

What is the relationship between entities and tables?

A

Each table is a representation of a real world entity.

26
Q

What is a record?

A

A single entry into a database, containing all of the attributes of one instance of an entity. (i.e. A horizontal row)

27
Q

What is a field?

A

A column in a database, representing one particular entity of an entry. (Basically, the headings at the top of the table)

28
Q

What is the primary key?

A

A field in a table that uniquely identifies a record.

29
Q

What is the foreign key?

A

A field in one table that is the primary key in another table and is used to create a relationship between those two tables.

30
Q

What is important about the primary key?

A

Every record must have a different value in this field to make it unique.

31
Q

What is a relationship?

A
  • The logical connection created between two tables using a primary and foreign key pair.
  • It allows related data about a record to be accessed from another table.
32
Q

What sort of relationships are there?

A
  • One-to-one
  • One-to-many
  • Many-to-many
33
Q

What is a form?

A

An interactive window used for data entry into a database. (Input)

34
Q

What is validation?

A

A check made by the computer to make sure the data is sensible and conforms to the rules set out by the programmer.

35
Q

What is verification?

A

A check to ensure that data has been input correctly. For example, asking the user to reader to read the data they have input and check it is correct. Or

36
Q

Give two examples of verification.

A
  • Asking the user to re-read the data and confirm it is correct
  • The data has to be entered twice and one version is compared against the other to make sure it is the same
37
Q

What is a query?

A
  • A feature of a DBMS that allows the database to be interrogated.
  • It selects encores from the database based on specific criteria.
38
Q

What are some logic operators and when are they used?

A

NOT, AND, OR. Used in complex criteria in queries.

39
Q

What is a data type?

A

The sort of data that can be stored in a variable or field in this case.

40
Q

Give some examples of validation checks.

A
  • Range check
  • Type check
  • Length check
  • Existence check
  • Presence check
  • Format check
41
Q

What is a type check?

A

A check to see if the data type is correct.

42
Q

What is an existence check?

A

A check to see whether a product or customer actually exists.

43
Q

What is a presence check?

A

A check to make sure that some data has been entered (i.e. No blank fields)

44
Q

What is a format check?

A

A check to see that the format of a postcode, email address, etc. is appropriate.

45
Q

What is the difference between validation and verification?

A

Validation checks whether the data fits some criteria, whereas verification asks the user to double-check their input.

46
Q

What takes priority, AND or OR?

A

AND

47
Q

What are the features of a good report?

A
  • Dated
  • Clear title
  • Good layout with clear columns
  • Page numbers
  • Sorted in a logical sequence
48
Q

What is a report?

A

A snapshot in time of the data from a database that can be printed. It is formatted and may be sorted or grouped. (Output)

49
Q

What is a module?

A

A section of code within a DBMS that allows the user interface to be tailored.

GCSE - Computing (7 decks)

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