Chapter 1: Intro to Databases

Question 1

Data

Answer 1

Numeric, textual, visual, or audio information that describes real-world systems. Can vary in scope, format, and access.

Question 2

Analog

Answer 2

Encodings as continuous variations on various physical media. Historically, data was mostly this.

Question 3

Digital

Answer 3

Encodings as ones and zeros on electronic and magnetic media. Most data is this today.

Question 4

Database

Answer 4

A collection of data in a structured format.

Question 5

Database Management System (DBMS)

Answer 5

Software that reads and writes data in a database. Ensures data is secure, internally consistent, and available at all times.

Question 6

Query

Answer 6

A request to retrieve or change data in a database.

Question 7

Query Language

Answer 7

A specialized programming language, designed specifically for database systems. Differ from general-purpose languages.

Question 8

Database application

Answer 8

Software that helps business users interact with database systems.

Question 9

Database administrator

Answer 9

Responsible for securing the database system against unauthorized users. Enforces procedures for user access and database system availability.

Question 10

Database designer

Answer 10

Determines the format of each data element and the overall database structure. Balances storage, response time, and support for the rules governing the data.

Question 11

Database programmer

Answer 11

Develops computer programs that utilize a database. Write the applications that combine database query languages and general-purpose programming languages.

Question 12

Database user

Answer 12

A consumer of data in a database.

Question 13

Special requirements of a large database

Answer 13

Performance, authorization, security, rules, and recovery

Question 14

Transaction

Answer 14

A group of queries that must either be completed or rejected as a whole.

Question 15

When processing transactions, database systems must:

Answer 15

1. Ensure transactions are processed completely or not at all.
2. Prevent conflicts between concurrent transactions.
3. Ensure transaction results are never lost.

Question 16

Architecture

Answer 16

Describes the internal components and the relationships between components.

Question 17

Query processor

Answer 17

Interprets queries, creates a plan to modify the database or retrieve data, and returns query results. Performs query optimization.

Question 18

Query optimization

Answer 18

Performed by the query processor to ensure the most efficient instructions are executed on the data.

Question 19

Storage manager

Answer 19

Translates the query processor instructions into low-level file-system commands that modify or retrieve data. Uses indexes to quickly locate data

Question 20

Transaction manager

Answer 20

Ensures transactions are properly executed.

Question 21

Log

Answer 21

A file containing a complete record of all inserts, updates, and deletes processed by the database. The transaction manager writes log records before applying changes to the database.

Question 22

Catalog/Data Dictionary

Answer 22

A directory of tables, columns, indexes, and other database objects

Question 23

Relational database

Answer 23

Stores data in tables, columns, and rows, similar to a spreadsheet. All data in a column has the same format, all data in a row represents a single object.

Question 24

SQL

Answer 24

All relational database systems support this query language. Stands for Structured Query Language.

Question 25

NoSQL

Answer 25

Stands for Not Only SQL. Non-relational database

Question 26

CRUD

Answer 26

Create, Read, Update, and Delete data

Question 27

CREATE TABLE statement

Answer 27

Creates a new table by specifying the table and column names and data types

Question 28

Database Design

Answer 28

A specification of database objects such as tables, columns, data types, and indexes. Has three phases:
1. Analysis
2. Logical Design
3. Physical design

Question 29

Analysis phase

Answer 29

Specifies database requirements without regard to a specific database system. Requirements are represented as entities, relationships, and attributes

Question 30

ER Diagram

Answer 30

Depicts entities, relationships, and attributes, where rectangles represent entities, lines represent relationships, and text represents attributes

Question 31

Logical design phase

Answer 31

Implements database requirements in a specific database system. Converts entities, relationships, and attributes into tables, keys, and columns. Depicted in a table diagram

Question 32

Key

Answer 32

A column used to identify individual rows of a table

Question 33

Table Diagram

Answer 33

Depicts logical design, where rectangles represent tables, text represents table names and columns, solid bullets represent keys, and empty bullets represent foreign keys.

Question 34

Schema

Answer 34

The logical design, as specified in SQL and depicted in a table diagram.

Question 35

Physical Design

Answer 35

Adds indexes and specifies how tables are organized on storage media.

Question 36

Data Independence

Answer 36

Physical design never affects query results. Allows designers to tune query performance without changes to application programs.

Question 37

Application Programming Interface (API0

Answer 37

A library of procedures or classes that links a host programming language to a database.

Question 38

MySQL

Answer 38

Leading relational database system. Has the MySQL Server and MySQL Enterprise editons.

Question 39

Root account

Answer 39

Administrative account that has full control of MySQL

Question 40

MySQL Command-Line Client

Answer 40

Text interface included in the MySQL Server download. Allows developers to connect to the database server, perform administrative functions, and execute SQL statements. Similar to MySQL Workbench, but is not a GUI.